Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Southern Peas (Creams, Crowders, Blackeyes, Purplehulls)

Estimated Cost $664 per acre summer harvest

Harvest Season Summer

Market Outlets Local wholesale, retail, roadside

Market Potential Good for local sales; best for shelled peas

Profit Potential Low $0 to $450 per acre

Adapted Areas Statewide

Labor Requirements Harvest by hand at $3 to $4 per bushel ( Can be machine harvested).

Equipment Requirements Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, cultivator, harvester

Soil Requirements Sandy soils but can be grown on heavier loam soil. May require use of iron chelate.

Water Requirements 15 to 20 inches during crop season - has dry land production potential.

Minimum Size 1 to 5 acres; 50 acres for mechanical harvest

Risk Factor Low

Other Limiting Factors Harvest labor, insects, viruses and deer.

Additional Information

Comments Creams, crowders, blackeyeyes and purplehulls are in good demand for local sales but volume is limited to wholesale markets. Mechanical harvester and shellers are available commercially. Good rotation crop.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$664 per acre summer harvest
Harvest Season	Summer
Market Outlets	Local wholesale, retail, roadside
Market Potential	Good for local sales; best for shelled peas
Profit Potential	Low $0 to $450 per acre
Adapted Areas	Statewide
Labor Requirements	Harvest by hand at $3 to $4 per bushel ( Can be machine harvested).
Equipment Requirements	Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, cultivator, harvester
Soil Requirements	Sandy soils but can be grown on heavier loam soil. May require use of iron chelate.
Water Requirements	15 to 20 inches during crop season - has dry land production potential.
Minimum Size	1 to 5 acres; 50 acres for mechanical harvest
Risk Factor	Low
Other Limiting Factors	Harvest labor, insects, viruses and deer.
Additional Information
Comments	Creams, crowders, blackeyeyes and purplehulls are in good demand for local sales but volume is limited to wholesale markets. Mechanical harvester and shellers are available commercially. Good rotation crop.