When is the best time to plant autumn cowpea?

Cowpea is what we often call beans. It is a common vegetable. It is tender, delicious and nutritious. If you can’t finish it, you can dry it into dried vegetables . So when is the best time to plant autumn cowpea? Let’s learn more about it below.

When is the best time to plant autumn cowpea?

Autumn cowpea is generally sown between July and August. Autumn cowpea is sown in the Yangtze River Basin in mid-July, and in South China in late July. The best way to sow is by direct seeding, and at a reasonable density, with 1.25 to 1.5 kilograms of seeds per acre.

How to plant autumn cowpea?

1. Seed treatment

Before sowing cowpea seeds, carefully select them and dry them in the sun for 1 to 2 days. They are usually sown directly as dry seeds, or they can be soaked in warm water at 25 to 30 degrees. After most cowpea seeds absorb water and swell, they are taken out and the moisture on the surface is dried before sowing.

2. Land preparation and ridge making

Prepare the land and apply sufficient base fertilizer. Per mu of land, you can apply 3500-4500 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer , 60-80 kg of superphosphate, 30-40 kg of potassium sulfate, or 120-150 kg of wood ash. In the northern region, flat ridges are generally used, while in the south, high ridges are used.

3. Planting seeds

Cowpea is generally sown in holes. If the soil moisture is poor, you can water the ridges before sowing, and then sow when the moisture is sufficient. You can also dig furrows and water during sowing, and then sow after the water seeps in. Sow two rows per ridge. The recommended row spacing is 50 to 65 cm, and the hole spacing is 20 to 25 cm. Place 4 to 5 seeds in each hole. After sowing, cover with 2 to 3 cm thick soil.

4. Check and replenish seedlings

After the true leaves appear, the seedlings should be checked and supplemented in time. Generally, 2 to 3 healthy seedlings should be left in each hole.

5. Build a trellis to guide vines

Cowpea grows fast, and because it is a climbing plant, you need to build a rack in time. When the plant grows to 20 to 30 cm, use bamboo poles, branches, etc. to build a herringbone rack or H-shaped rack. Generally, 2 meters is enough. Too high will be inconvenient for picking. When the cowpea starts to grow vines, guide the vines every afternoon and tie them to the rack with ropes, but don't tie them too tightly.

6. Timely peaking

When leading the vines onto the rack, remove the side buds at the bottom, which will be beneficial to the growth of the main vine. Pinch off the side branches above the first inflorescence of the main vine as soon as possible, leaving 2`~3 leaves. This can reduce nutrient waste and promote the formation of inflorescences on the side branches.

7. Water and fertilizer management

Cowpea is very drought-resistant and afraid of waterlogging. Too much water will cause the plant to grow too tall, produce fewer flowers and fruits, and may even cause root rot and death. Therefore, watering should be controlled during the flowering and fruiting period. Fertilizer and water management should be strengthened during the podding period of autumn cowpea . According to the soil fertility conditions, apply 20 to 30 kg of compound fertilizer and 5 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu, mixed with clear manure water and applied, which is conducive to the vigorous growth of the plants and more flowering and pod production.

That’s it