This year at Serendipity Farmhouse, we decided to try something new in the garden: growing black‑eyed peas. Neither Fuzzy nor I had ever planted them before, so we treated the whole season as an experiment. What we discovered was a mix of peaceful gardening, delicious harvests, and—believe it or not—a tiny kaiju invasion.
Black-Eyed Pea Experiment – First Harvest
In our first video, we invited you into the garden to see the plants up close. The vines handled our hot Virginia summer beautifully, producing blossoms and pods that were a joy to watch. When the first pods were ready, we harvested them together and learned how to tell the difference between fresh, tender pods and those that were beginning to dry. Shelling the peas was simple and satisfying, and even our early harvest gave us a promising bowlful.
In the followup episode, we took those peas into the kitchen. I showed how to blanch them for two minutes, cool them quickly in ice water, and prepare them for freezing. It’s a simple process that keeps them fresh and ready for winter meals. We also talked about the different pod colors and what they reveal about the maturity of the peas inside.
Black-Eyed Pea Experiment – Kaiju Bug Invasion
But the season wasn’t all calm and quiet. As the plants grew, a small army of pests arrived—each one acting like a miniature monster in our garden. The Asian Lady Beetle pretended to be helpful but wasn’t. Green Stink Bugs and their nymphs pierced pods with precision. The Mexican Bean Beetle pupae waited silently, preparing to skeletonize leaves. And the One‑Spotted Stink Bug lurked like a tiny assassin. Even the Red Imported Fire Ants showed up, sometimes helping, sometimes causing trouble.
Despite the kaiju chaos, our cowpeas persevered. We harvested enough to enjoy through the winter, and we learned more than we expected. Next year, we’ll be ready—with better timing, better spacing, and maybe a miniaturized Godzilla to vanquish the kaiju hordes.
Serendipity Farmhouse always has a story to tell, and this experiment was one of my favorites. Stay tuned for more adventures!