Southern Pea Seeds - Chicken n' Dumpling
Best heirloom legume for gardeners seeking heat-tolerant, vining summer crops.
Discover the heirloom Chicken n' Dumpling southern pea seeds, also known as "Ham and Gravy" for their distinctive red and cream markings. These heat-loving legumes thrive in hot summers and tolerate poor soils, making them ideal for summer gardens. The plants exhibit a vining habit, requiring trellising for optimal growth. This specific seed stock was preserved by John Wheeler and is small farm grown. For best results, sow seeds directly after the last frost, ensuring proper spacing for a bountiful harvest of delicious peas, suitable for fresh eating or drying.
$4.75
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3139
/ 5901
#3139 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-55%
Below average
Minimum Seeds per Packet
40
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking authentic Southern culinary flavor
- Gardeners in hot, dry climates needing reliable summer yields
- Organic gardeners looking to naturally improve soil fertility
Who should skip it
- Busy harvesters wanting low-maintenance vegetable processing
- Urban gardeners with limited space for sprawling vines
- Gardeners preferring crops without specialized pest management needs
Performance breakdown
Heat Tolerance
Thrives in sweltering summer conditions where other crops often fail.
Soil Adaptability
Robust performance even in nutrient-poor or challenging garden soil conditions.
Culinary Versatility
Excellent flavor profile suitable for both fresh eating and long-term storage.
Trellis Requirement
Vining habit demands vertical support structures for a successful harvest.
Seed Density
Generous packet count ensures plenty of starts for a productive patch.
Growth Cycle
Long maturity window requires a full, uninterrupted summer growing season.
Key Specs
Minimum Seeds per Packet
40
Packet Weight
12g
Days to Harvest
100
Seed Depth
1-2"
Direct Seed Spacing
2-3"
Sun Requirement
Full Sun
Isolation Distance for Seed Saving
20 feet
Life Cycle
Annual
Features
- Heirloom Southern Pea variety
- Delicious flavor profile
- Vining habit requires support
- Tolerant of poor soils
- Self-pollinating perfect flowers
- Suitable for fresh eating or drying
- Minimum 40 seeds per packet
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the 'Chicken n' Dumpling' pea seeds for their exceptional culinary quality and reliable performance. Reviewers consistently highlight the rich, earthy flavor and distinctively creamy texture, noting it truly embodies the heirloom promise. Satisfaction is high regarding seed viability, with excellent germination reported across the board. While these Southern peas require specific growing conditions, experienced gardeners report robust, true-to-type yields. Although the price reflects its specialty heirloom status, most agree the superior flavor and the ability to save seeds provide strong perceived value. This variety successfully satisfies gardeners prioritizing authentic taste and genetic preservation.
Know before you buy
Yes, Chicken n' Dumpling is a vining variety. You will need to provide a trellis, fence, or other support structure for the plants to climb as they grow.
These peas take approximately 100 days to reach maturity after planting. They are best suited for a long, hot summer growing season.
No, this variety is not recommended for containers. Because of their vining habit and space requirements, they perform best when planted directly in the ground.
You can enjoy them both ways. They are delicious when harvested fresh for immediate cooking, or you can leave them on the vine longer to dry for storage.
Sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil. Ensure you space them 2 to 3 inches apart to allow the plants enough room to develop.
No, these specific seeds are not certified organic. However, they are small-farm grown and represent a preserved heirloom variety.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.