Southern Pea Seeds - California Blackeye
Best heat-tolerant legume for home gardeners seeking a bountiful summer harvest.
Cultivate a bountiful summer harvest with California Blackeye Southern Pea Seeds. This heirloom variety offers continuous productivity and a delicious flavor, perfect for enjoying fresh or dried. These heat-loving legumes are resistant to wilt and nematodes, thriving in sunny locations. They tolerate various soils but prefer loamy conditions. Each packet contains at least 45 seeds, ideal for home gardens. Plant after the last frost for a rewarding yield of this classic Southern favorite.
$3.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5876
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-63%
Below average
Botanical Name
Vigna unguiculata
/ Vigna unguiculata
Who it's for
- Home cooks wanting both fresh snaps and pantry staples
- Gardeners in hot, arid climates seeking reliable summer harvests
- Organic growers looking to naturally boost soil fertility
Who should skip it
- Busy growers looking for quick, effortless harvest processing
- Cool-climate gardeners with short, mild growing seasons
- Low-maintenance gardeners wanting to avoid active pest management
Performance breakdown
Heat Tolerance
Thrives in sweltering summer conditions where other crops often struggle.
Disease Resistance
Built-in protection against common wilt and nematodes ensures a reliable harvest.
Ease of Cultivation
Self-pollinating and trellis-free growth makes this an ideal beginner-friendly vegetable.
Yield Consistency
Heirloom genetics provide continuous production throughout the peak growing season.
Culinary Versatility
Excellent flavor profile whether enjoyed fresh or dried for long-term storage.
Seed Viability
Generous packet count provides ample coverage for a productive home patch.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Vigna unguiculata
Seed Trait
HEIRLOOM
Minimum Seeds per Packet
45
Packet Weight
14g
Days to Maturity
85 days
Planting Season
After Last Frost
Seed Form
Loose Seeds
Life Cycle
Annual
Features
- Heirloom variety for continuous harvest
- Resistant to wilt and nematodes
- Delicious fresh or dried
- Heat-loving for summer gardens
- Self-pollinating flowers
- Can grow without a trellis
What customers say
Customers highly value these California Blackeye peas for their exceptional reliability and superior quality. The core praise focuses on near perfect germination, resulting in vigorous, productive plants. Gardeners consistently report a substantial harvest of authentic, flavorful Southern peas, confirming the traditional taste. The non-GMO, open-pollinated status adds significant long term value, allowing seed saving. While the initial cost may be higher than generic options, the consensus is that the dependable high yield and inherent seed quality fully justify the investment. This product is a trusted choice for excellent results.
Know before you buy
No, these peas are a bush variety and do not require a trellis. They are self-supporting, making them an excellent choice for garden beds or containers.
Each packet contains a minimum of 45 seeds. With a mature spacing requirement of 2 to 4 inches, one packet is sufficient to cover approximately 8 to 15 feet of row space.
Yes, they are very beginner-friendly. They are heat-loving, resistant to common issues like wilt and nematodes, and thrive in full sun with only moderate water needs.
You can enjoy them both ways. They are delicious harvested fresh for immediate cooking or left on the vine to dry for long-term storage.
These are warm-season annuals that should be planted only after the danger of the last frost has passed. They require soil temperatures to be consistently warm to germinate and thrive.
To ensure genetic purity when saving seeds, you should maintain an isolation distance of at least 20 feet between this variety and other types of Vigna unguiculata.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.