Pigeon peas

Pigeon Pea Tree (Cajanus cajan)

The pigeon pea tree is a hardy, multi-purpose legume, closely related to soybeans, and prized in both home gardens and sustainable farming systems.

🌱 Features:

• Drought-resistant and heat-tolerant — thrives even in harsh conditions
• Grows well in poor, depleted, or sandy soils where many other crops fail
• A nitrogen-fixing plant that naturally enriches and improves soil health
• Fast-growing and long-lived for a legume, providing reliable yields

🌾 Uses:

• Edible peas — rich in protein and widely used in soups, stews, curries, and more across tropical and subtropical cuisines
• Green manure / cover crop — improves soil fertility and structure
• Animal fodder — leaves and pods can be used to feed livestock
• Windbreak / living fence — dense growth makes it excellent for protecting gardens and fields from wind damage
• Firewood and mulch — stems provide useful biomass

🌞 Growing Tips:

• Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade
• Minimal care needed once established — water deeply but infrequently in dry spells
• Grows well as part of food forests, permaculture gardens, and regenerative systems

🌿 Nutritional Value:

• Pigeon peas are an excellent source of plant protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, and other minerals
• Popular in vegetarian and vegan diets for their nutritional density