legume · direct sow
Pigeon pea: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating pigeon pea a few times a week needs about 62 plants in ~279 sq ft, worth about $62 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$2.50/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 16 | ~72 sq ft | ~32 | ~$16 |
| 2 people | 31 | ~140 sq ft | ~62 | ~$31 |
| 4 people | 62 | ~279 sq ft | ~124 | ~$62 |
| 6 people | 93 | ~419 sq ft | ~186 | ~$93 |
Spacing
18" in row · 36" between rows
Sow depth
1"
Days to harvest
120 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 29 – Jun 24 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 24 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 14 – Jun 9 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 4 – May 30 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 19 – May 15 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 8 – May 4 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 6 – Apr 1 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 14 – Mar 12 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.4 lbs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~0.4 lb).
Neighbors
Plays well with sweet-potato.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
343 kcal · 15 g fiber · 0 mg vitamin C · 1390 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.
Pigeon pea cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household — and how long it keeps.