How to Plant Pigeon Pea
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a frost-tender annual in the legume family. The pods are similar in shape and color to the familiar English pea. In the West Indies, the pigeon pea is an important food source for people and live stock. Pigeon peas grow 3 to 10 feet tall and produce clusters of pods on each stem. This deep-rooted legume can survive in semi-arid conditions but will produce better with frequent irrigation.
Prepare the garden bed. Turn over the top 8 to 12 inches of soil, using a garden fork or rototiller. Clear away all weeds, roots and other plant material. Select a location that gets at least six hours of sun per day.
- Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a frost-tender annual in the legume family.
- This deep-rooted legume can survive in semi-arid conditions but will produce better with frequent irrigation.
Plant the pea seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. Plant pigeon seeds when the soil temperature warms to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all chance of frost has past.
Soak the area around each seed to a depth of 2 inches within six hours of planting. Keep the soil around the seeds damp with frequent light applications of water until they germinate and sprout.
Remove weeds by hand as they emerge. Pigeon peas do not compete well with weeds.
Thin the seedlings when they are 2 inches tall so that there are 12 to 18 inches between plants. Pigeon peas require about 140 frost-free days to reach maturity when planted from seed.
- Plant the pea seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart.
- Keep the soil around the seeds damp with frequent light applications of water until they germinate and sprout.
Plant Pigeon Pea
Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep. The soil can be of any variety, ranging from sandy to clay, as long as the pH level is between 5.0 to 7.0. Plant the rest of your pigeon pea seeds in individual shallow holes, leaving at least 6 inches between each hole. If planting more than one row, space each row at least 35 centimeters apart. Add an all-purpose fertilizer on top of each planting. The fertilizer must have balanced amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Water once per week after the first day to keep the soil moist.
- Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep.
- Plant the rest of your pigeon pea seeds in individual shallow holes, leaving at least 6 inches between each hole.
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Writer Bio
Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad.
