Yoquivo Del Sur is a beige, smooth-seeded pea with a remarkable backstory, originating from the remote Sierra region near Yoquivo del Sur in southern Chihuahua, Mexico, at approximately 7,500 feet elevation. This heirloom variety from Native Seeds/SEARCH's Seed Bank Collection carries the quiet dignity of a plant adapted to high-desert conditions. Hardy across zones 3 to 10, it germinates best between 45°F and 75°F and tolerates frost, making it a reliable cool-season crop for diverse climates. Space plants 3 inches apart with 18 inches between rows to give them room to thrive.
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3-10
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Moderate
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This is a pea pulled straight from seed conservation work in one of North America's most biodiverse regions. The beige, smooth seeds reflect its mountain heritage, developed over generations in a remote corner of the Sierra where traditional farming practices have preserved countless heirloom varieties. Its frost tolerance and wide hardiness range mean it performs reliably whether you're gardening in cold climates or mild winters, making it a bridge between regional food traditions and contemporary seed saving movements.
As a dry or shell pea, Yoquivo Del Sur suits traditional preparations common to Mexican and southwestern cuisine, where dried peas have long been staples in soups, stews, and bean-based dishes. The smooth, beige seeds are well-suited to cooking whole or splitting for use in hearty grain and legume combinations. Its heirloom nature also makes it valued among seed savers and gardeners interested in preserving regional crop varieties.
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Direct sow Yoquivo Del Sur peas in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, when soil temperatures are between 45°F and 75°F. These frost-tolerant plants can be seeded directly into the garden bed without fear of late-season cold damage. In mild climates (zones 8-10), consider a fall planting for winter and early spring harvest.
Harvest Yoquivo Del Sur at the mature, dry stage for storage and long-term use. Allow pods to remain on the plant until they are fully dry and the seeds have hardened to their characteristic smooth, beige appearance. Pods are ready when they rattle slightly when shaken. Pick pods by hand or cut them from the plant, then shell out the dried peas for storage.
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“Yoquivo Del Sur comes from a somewhat remote region in the Sierra of southern Chihuahua, Mexico, where it has been cultivated as part of the area's agricultural heritage. Native Seeds/SEARCH, the Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to conserving crops and their wild relatives, rescued this variety for their Seed Bank Collection, ensuring that this high-desert adapted pea would not be lost to industrialization or changing farming practices. The variety represents the kind of genetic treasure found in mountainous regions where traditional farming has persisted, where peas like this have been selected and saved by families for generations to thrive in the specific conditions of their home landscape.”