My wife really likes canned tiny field peas (Allen's), and every year for New Years Day I cook black-eyed peas (usually dried) to remember my great Aunt Mary. I'd forgotten how much I like them when they are prepared well. So I want to try growing some in my garden this year.

The problem is, they need a long hot growing season. Some years are hot and long enough (barely), but 2019 was so cold and wet southern peas wouldn't have done anything at all if they even came up.

University of Minnesota has a breeding program where they've developed some varieties for northern climates. But where do you buy the seeds? In particular I am interested in a variety called "MN 157", but the only place I have found them online is at Great Lakes Staple Seeds for $3.50 for a packet of 20 seeds, plus postage. I'd be okay with that if it was a 2 ounce packet, but 20 seeds isn't enough to do anything.

Anybody else have good luck growing cowpeas in MN or WI? What varieties, and where did you get the seeds?

I've also thought about trying some adzuki beans and just pretending they are cowpeas. I think they are a commercial crop in Ontario, so they ought to grow here. But I don't know how good of a substitute they'd be, if I shell them fresh instead of dried.