This spring I experimented with a variety of black eyed pea that was purported to grow to maturity in northern regions. It goes by the name fagiolino dolico di veneto. I originally got it from Underwood Gardens. Unfortunately I probably did not give them a proper start indoors, and the newly emergent seedlings got by and large decimated by pests. Fortunately a survivng shoot here and there managed to produce a few pods which despite no more than 3 or 4 leaves per plant, managed to mature with ample time to dry on the plant before frost. I ended up with about 20 seeds (peas) which is about the amount that came in the packet.
This variety is apparently only available in the US from the aforementioned supplier, and they appear to be out of stock. Hopefully they are planting a bigger seedcrop this year. Lesson learned. Next year I will start all but a few indoors (perhaps even grow one in the shelter of the sunroom) to increase the chances of survival. Based upon yeild I may offer to trade or give away the seed from subsequent years. Not necessarily on a commercial level, but I think given its potential use to us short season growers, it should be more widespread. Hopefully Underwood Seed will have enough to give this one a comeback, it would be a shame to see more genetic lines disapear.
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