Pigeon Peas: The Tropical Treasure Your Garden Craves

July 24, 1938

On this day, dear readers, the Miami News graced us with a most intriguing article titled "Tropical Peas Will Mitigate Relief Wants."

Oh, how such a headline stirs the imagination of any gardener worth their salt!

Let us delve into this horticultural revelation, shall we?

The article begins with a proposition that would surely raise an eyebrow or two in polite society:

If English peas don't suit your palate, plant pigeon peas.

The suggestion is that of a Miami pioneer, Charles F. Sulzner, who through the years has pointed out to newcomers the advantages of growing tropical fruits and vegetables, often of a type requiring no painstaking cultivation...

Imagine, if you will, a world where peas grow on trees!

Mr. Sulzner, that intrepid Miami pioneer, assures us that such a world exists, right in his very own garden:

Pigeon peas, as Sulzner demonstrated in his spacious grounds at 236 S. W. Second St grow on trees, and may be had by the simple process of picking.

Now, my dear gardening enthusiasts, before you dismiss this as mere tropical fancy, allow me to enlighten you on the marvels of the pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).

This is no newfangled creation, mind you.

The cultivation of this remarkable legume can be traced back more than 3,500 years! It goes by many names – Congo pea, Angola pea, red gram – each one more exotic than the last. In Barbados, it was even used to feed pigeons, hence its most common moniker.

For those of you who revel in the spring ritual of planting peas, I implore you to consider the pigeon pea as a summer companion to your garden.

This hardy perennial is a gift that keeps on giving, producing multiple harvests throughout the season.

Can you imagine the delight of your dinner guests when you serve them fresh peas in the height of summer?

But wait, there's more!

These "peas" are, in fact, beans – a delightful botanical twist that's sure to spark conversation at your next garden club meeting.

They can be enjoyed raw when green, or dried for later use. (A word to the wise: do soak the dried beans before boiling, lest you risk a rather... crunchy culinary experience.)

The flavor, oh the flavor!

Pigeon peas boast a nutty taste and crisp texture that would make even the most discerning palate sing with joy.

And for those adventurous souls among you, the entire pod is edible.

Waste not, want not, as they say!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about the aesthetics?"

Fear not, for the pigeon pea is as beautiful as it is useful. Its yellow-red flowers are a veritable siren song to hummingbirds, drawing flocks of these delightful creatures to your garden.

And as if that weren't enough, these plants are nitrogen-fixers, enriching your soil even as they feed you. It's nature's own version of having your cake and eating it too!

So, my fellow gardeners, I implore you to consider adding this tropical wonder to your edible gardens.

Let us embrace the wisdom of Mr. Sulzner and his pioneering spirit.

After all, in these trying times, who among us couldn't use a little relief in the form of effortless abundance?

Until next time, may your gardens flourish and your pigeon peas prosper!