MiniBlog: Peppers – From Sweet to Heat, Find Your Perfect Pepper Variety

Peppers are one of the most versatile crops you can grow in your garden, whether you're after something sweet for salads or sandwiches, or you’re looking to spice things up with some fiery heat for salsas and hot sauces. With so many varieties to choose from, there’s a pepper for every palate.

Popular Pepper Varieties We Grow:

1. Sweet Peppers:

   • California Wonder: A classic bell pepper that’s great for stuffing, grilling, or adding to salads.

   • Golden Cali Wonder: A yellow variation of the classic bell, offering a mild sweetness that makes it perfect for fresh eating.

   • Keystone Giant (Red Bell): Known for its large size and sweet, crisp flavor, this pepper is perfect for slicing or stuffing.

   • Sweet Banana: Long, yellow peppers with a mild sweetness that add color to any dish.

2. Mild to Medium Heat Peppers:

   • Poblano: Known for its earthy, slightly smoky flavor, poblanos are perfect for Mexican dishes like chili and mole.

   • Jalapeno: A classic choice for adding heat without being overwhelming; great for everything from salsas to poppers.

   • Jalafuego: A variety with a bit more heat than the standard jalapeno but still manageable for most palates.

   • Hungarian Hot Wax: A medium heat pepper with a tangy, slightly bitter taste; great for pickling or adding spice to dishes.

3. Hot Peppers:

   • Habanero Red: Known for its intense heat, these fiery peppers add a vibrant kick to any dish. Handle with care!

   • Ghost Pepper: Also known as Bhut Jolokia, this pepper is one of the hottest in the world. Best suited for those who like their food incredibly spicy.

   • Reaper Pepper: The Carolina Reaper holds the title of the hottest pepper in the world! Perfect for those who want to experience extreme heat.

   • Tepin Pepper: Tiny but mighty, tepin peppers pack a punch and are perfect for adding heat to salsas or infusing oils.

4. Unique Varieties:

   • Armageddon: A super-hot pepper with a fruity flavor; it’s both flavorful and fiery, making it a favorite for hot sauces.

   • Big Daddy: A large, mild pepper that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries.

   • Gong Bao: A small, red pepper with a moderate level of heat and a unique flavor profile, often used in Asian cooking.

Tips for Growing Peppers:

• Location: Peppers thrive in warm weather, so make sure to plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering, as peppers don’t like soggy roots.

• Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth, but avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to lush foliage and fewer peppers.

• Space-saving tip: Growing peppers in containers or raised beds can help save space while giving them the warmth they need to thrive. For vertical growing, consider using tall cages or stakes to support the plants as they grow.

• When pepper plants first flower, it's often recommended to remove some of the lower leaves or small side shoots. This practice can help in a few ways:

  1. Redirecting Energy: By removing some lower leaves or early growth, the plant's energy is redirected towards producing stronger roots and supporting the development of fruits rather than sustaining excess foliage.

  2. Improved Airflow: Pruning the lower leaves helps improve airflow around the plant, reducing the risk of fungal infections and mold.

  3. Encouraging Stronger Growth: Removing some lower growth can encourage the plant to focus on vertical growth, which may lead to more robust fruiting and an overall healthier plant.

  However, it’s important to not overdo it, as you still want to maintain enough leaves for photosynthesis, which is essential for the plant's health. Removing just a few of the bottom leaves or any leaves that are yellowing or damaged can be beneficial.

  This technique can be particularly useful for taller, indeterminate varieties, but it’s not typically necessary for all peppers. Keep an eye on the plant’s overall health and be cautious when pruning, especially early in the season.

When to Plant and Harvest:

Peppers need a long growing season, so we start them indoors 8-10 weeks or more before the last frost date so you can purchase started plants in spring. Most peppers are ready for harvest 70-90 days after planting, depending on the variety. Harvest when the peppers are firm, vibrant in color, and have reached their full size. For hot peppers, leave them on the plant longer to intensify the heat!

Scoville Scale – What is it?

The Scoville Heat Scale is a measurement of the heat of peppers based on their capsaicin content. Capsaicin is the compound responsible for the "heat" sensation in peppers. The higher the capsaicin concentration, the hotter the pepper. For example, Jalapenos usually measure around 3,500-8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), while the intense Ghost Pepper can reach over 1,000,000 SHU! Keep the Scoville scale in mind to gauge the heat level of different peppers and choose the one that best suits your taste preferences.

Fun Facts:

• The Habanero and Ghost Pepper are among the hottest varieties, with Scoville ratings reaching over 1 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU) for the Ghost Pepper!

• Peppers are technically fruits, not vegetables. They belong to the nightshade family, alongside tomatoes and eggplants.

Whether you're making a fresh salsa, adding a kick to your meals, or growing peppers for hot sauces, there's a variety to suit every taste and spice level. Explore our selection this summer and grow your own pepper paradise.