CP34-Golden Buff Crowder

Golden Buff Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

A dependable, heat-loving heirloom dual-purpose field pea.

Golden Buff cowpeas thrive in intense midsummer heat and drought-prone conditions where other garden beans stall. Producing semi-vining plants loaded with slender green pods, this variety yields smooth, warm golden-buff seeds celebrated for their rich, earthy flavor and tender texture.

Whether harvested early as fresh “shelly” peas, allowed to dry on the vine for long-term pantry storage, or planted as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop, Golden Buff is an exceptionally resilient workhorse for homesteader gardens and large-scale plots alike.

Variety Highlights

• Flavor Profile: Mild, creamy, and subtly sweet; retains shape well in slow-cooked Southern stews, soups, and cold salads.
• Extreme Heat & Drought Tolerance: Deep taproot system allows plants to produce steadily through dry, triple-digit summer weather.
• Soil Rejuvenator: Naturally fixes atmospheric nitrogen, enriching depleted garden soil for successive crops.
• Multi-Purpose Utility: Excellent as fresh table peas, dry storage beans, livestock forage, or summer green manure.

Quick Growing Specs

Growing & Harvest Tips

• Planting: Cowpeas require warm soil to germinate quickly and avoid seed rot. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers, which promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of pod production.
• Harvesting Fresh: Pick pods when seeds are plump and well-formed inside the pod, but while the pod is still green and tender. Shell immediately and cook fresh or freeze.
• Harvesting Dry: Leave pods on the vine until they turn pale tan and brittle. Harvest before heavy rains to prevent mold, shell the dry seeds, and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark location.