I've been eating these all summer from the local farmers market in Raleigh, NC. Have only one bag left in the freezer and want to grow them next year, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE???!! That is, this is a local name for a southern cultivar of a pea that has flourished in the local area. None of the farmers will give up their seed to me, and I can't find this in any commercial catalog. It is similar to a cream pea, close to a black eye...does anyone know what the "real" name is, or have seeds ?
Southern Pea Six Week Peas....
There is a world of difference between a cream pea and a blackeye pea. Describe the pea, size, shape, color, and if possible hull size shape and color, plant growth habit if you know, although I would guess from its earliness to be a bush type.
Southern Seed Legacy lists a small black crowder called the Six Weeks Pea. Definitely not a cream or blackeye type tho.
http://www.uga.edu/ebl/ssl/activities/seedlist/seed%20accession%20pics/6%20week%20pea%2024.html
This message was edited Nov 22, 2006 11:18 AM
Your timing was perfect. as just after submitting this thread, I ran across the Southern Seed Legacy website! (Which looks GREAT, by the way...I'm assuming you have something to do with this, as you are in Augusta. ..). I noted four varieties in the seed bank which, just by the name/description could be similar. No, the Six Weeks Pea that is the small, black crowder is NOT what I'm seeking.
The pea I'm seeking is slightly smaller than Black eye pea size, but with a similar hull shape, with a very creamy texture when fresh. The appearance/texture is very similar to what we called a 'cream pea' about 35 years ago in central Texas. Fresh, it is tan with a light green or yellow "eye." I have not seen it dried, nor have I seen the pod, and do not know if its a bush type, but I, too, presume that it is. I don't even know if its truly an early variety, as the name implies, as I have purchased it as late as Sept/Oct in my area. I can't remember if I have purchased it early, too, and, unfortunately, the folks that sell it are not the growers themselves. Any ideas? Thanks!
Texas is noted for "Cream" peas, Texas Cream 40 is very popular in this area and available at most Seed and feed stores. Of course there is a whole series of Texas Cream peas. You might want to run by a local Feed and Seed and see what they have. Most market growers will buy in bulk locally. Zipper is one my favorite cream peas, large and easy to shell.
Here is a local pea that I grow among many others. I like this one because it is unstoppable. Literally grows wild if you disk up the ground each year. It was discovered by a local growing in a junkyard. It literally took it over.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/70676/index.html
Yotedog, "Six Week Pea" is sold here in NC by Wyatt Quarles and they supply seed to many garden and nursery centers. I feel pretty positive that is what the folks at the Raleigh mkt are growing/selling and I bet they get their seeds from W.Quarles (whose headquarters are not far from the mkt).
I may have some seed in my seed larder but if not I can get some from a local garden center I deal with. And by the way, I never had them produce a crop in only six weeks, dagnabbit! :>)
Shoe.
Thank you both!! Horseshoe--I should have thought to ask you. I checked Wyatt Quarles last year, but not directly (I looked at my local garden center's WQ seed display--I guess they didn't order this variety...). Can I order directly from Wyatt Quarles? I'm assuming they only sell commercial, though I have driven by their location many times. I only know of one local feed and seed, and it is in a newly urban area so seems to sell mostly urban things, not alot of seed. Horseshoe--do you know of a good feed and seed in an area not too far that is still truly agricultural? I have sisters in Texas FarmerDill, maybe they can find cream peas there for me. Thanks!
You have to be a commercial enterprise to buy directly from W-Quarles. However, if you stop in to their place they may have a retail rack of seeds there maybe? If not, I have some.
I just checked and I have them listed as "Brown-eye 6 week pea". Dried, they are light tan with a brown ring/eye...in the center of the ring (if you can see in the pic) it looks like there is a hint of greenish color.
I sowed some seeds this past September but they grew so slow I didn't get to see what they looked like fresh-picked. Frost got them just as they were flowering. And yes, these grew more in bush form (unless they just didn't mature enough to start sending out runners or half runners.
As for feed/seed stores...some of the Southern States in the smaller towns (more rural) still cater to farmers/herders rather than to the city gardeners. However, even Southern States has most often gone to pkgd seeds, not bulk. The local garden center I deal with buys bulk seeds and I can buy them by the ounce, pound, whatever. You might also want to call "Ag Supply" in Raleigh (Might be listed as Agri Supply.) and see if they offer seed...I know they cater to everyone, bigtime growers, small time folks, and offer everything from tractors to parts to hand tools, to who-knows-what else!
If you want to try some of these seeds I'd be glad to send you some. I really think they will grow best in the early part of the year; I have an idea that the short daylength played a role in me not getting a crop in "six weeks", but will have to try them again next year to be certain.
Shoe.
Most of the feed and seed stores around carry a fairly good variety of southern peas, including creams. Since I plant about 10 lbs per year, half from saved, I don't order except for more exotic cultivars. Willhite http://www.willhiteseed.com/products.php?cat=54 has a fairly good selection. So does Cooper http://www.cooperseeds.com/pages/vegetables/Peas.html
Horseshoe--I think thats them, I think thats them!!! Well, they look similar, anyway...The eye looks too dark, but I've never seen them dried. Can I beg, borrow or steal some from you? Happy to trade something or send postage or whatever. I don't need a huge amount, just enough to find out if this is the variety I'm looking for, and then I can start saving seed. Don't want to wipe out your supply...but I want to know if this is "them." Muchas gracias!
FarmerDill--thanks for the links--I'm going to check these out and hope I find what I'm looking for. If nothing else, I'm absolutely certain I'm going to have a great time reading the descriptions. I bet my whole garden next year is nothing but southern peas..........all your fault.............!
***HAPPY THANKSGIVING***
hah! You sound excited, yotedog! Good for you as there isn't many things better than a good mess of field peas!
Will be in touch!
Shoe.
Could it be Whippoorwill?
Or perhaps one we used to get at the farmer's market in S. Georgia called Ram's Horn? Ram's Horn could be a local name. A small reddish brown pea that was chock full of flavor. Next year, when you buy some, pick out the oldest looking pods and save the seeds and see if they will germinate.
Yes, I'm kicking myself for not saving some seed this year--I was just too busy eating them!! Not sure if I can get any to germinate, as they are coming shelled and chilled, but its worth a try. I just need to convince a farmer to get me some in the pods, but so far, no luck. I'm noting the name's you gave me, in case what I have is not "them". Thanks!!
yotedog, the chilling won't have an effect on them. ( I keep most of my seed stock either in the fridge or freezer and have excellent germination.)
Sounds to me like you're gonna be the "field pea king" in your neighborhood next year! What fun!
Shoe.
No, Horseshoe, YOU are the field pea KING--cuz you answer all my questions! (Many thanks for that, by the way...). So even if the peas are shelled and then chilled, but not yet dried, you think they will germinate? I'm gonna try it if you think they will........
I have had seeds germinate in the green shell.during wet weather.
Does any one grow the real red ripper.It has a very long pod with 18-20 red peas in purple pod,
It is the best I have ever tasted and the easiest to shell.
I have lost the seed and can not find it anywhere.An imposter is sold locally.
I have also lost one called Georgia Hustler.It is the fastest one I have ever grown.
Charlie
yotedog, I've picked beans/peas from first harvest and have planted them for a second crop, same year. I feel confident that unless those peas were picked at an super early stage then they'll germ for you. In other words, they don't have to dry before they can germinate.
Hemental, the red ripper sounds pretty interesting, I'll have to keep an eye out for it. If I come across some seed I'll be sure to holler. Not familiar with Ga. Hustler but will hope to hear more about it.
Shoe.
http://www.uga.edu/ebl/ssl/activities/seedlist/ http://www.southernexposure.com/productlist/prods/16107.html http://www.rareseeds.com/catlisting.php?cat=6 http://www.vegetableseedwarehouse.com/peas.html#southern
are sources of Red Ripper. Not familiar with Georgia Hustler.
My experience with drying green shell peas or beans for that matter for seed had not been good. I also save seed from the early planting for late planting, but let the peas fully mature before picking them and them dry them in the shell.
Just a quick bump to see if yotedog has planted his peas yet! :>)
Am curious to see if the ones I sent you are what you had been hoping for. (Too early to be harvesting them but not too early for getting them in the ground.)
Keep us updated, yotedog!
Shoe
I'm behind, I'm behind!!!! Nursing a migrane and baby chicks!!! Been out of town!!! Planting them now, Horseshoe!!! (The exclamation points are me yelling at myself to "hurry up"! I did great getting the early spring stuff in, but am really late with the summer stuff..I'm running....). More soon!
Yay! Hey, as long as your doing your best to catch up that is what counts. (Tell me about it! I'm always behind but eventually the major plans come together!)
Congrats on the baby chicks...we have some here, too! It's that time of year, yeehaw!
Hang in there...you're doing par for the course!
Shoe