What is the fastest growing pepper?Wondering what is the fastest growing pepper? We love peppers at Sandia Seed, and we carry the fastest growing pepper seeds for people who want peppers sooner in the summer, and for those who live in short season climates. As this season comes to a close, many gardeners find that some of the longer-season peppers did not ripen before the first frost set in. Growing any of our favorite fastest growing peppers will ensure you'll have plenty of ripe peppers before the temperatures drop! Re...
Chimayó Chile - Grow your own!The Chimayó Chile is one of our favorite peppers in the world! They have a unique and different flavor that imparts pure deliciousness to many dishes. Many chefs believe that the Chimayó Chile is the most delicious chile pepper in the American southwest. The Chimayó Chile is known by locals in New Mexico as well as by connoisseurs around the world for being one of the tastiest chile you can get your hands on. In fact, NPR recently did a story on this rare treat, give it a listen to get insp...
When to Pick TomatoesThis Chef's Choice Orange Tomato is getting soft and ready to pick. How do you know when your tomatoes are ready? You know that tomatoes are ready to pick when their skin has changed color, is glossy and there is no green tinge. You will also know a tomato is ready to be picked when it begins to lose its firmness. Once they start to turn to their expected color, just gently squeeze your tomatoes to see if it is firm or gives a bit – if they are starting to get soft, tomatoes are ripe and...
Calabacitas RecipeThe go-to fresh vegetable preparation in New Mexico. Calabacitas always contains summer squash, usually with corn and green chile for extra flavor and texture. Preparing calabacitas is fast, easy, and forgiving so feel free to make it your own. Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 pounds mixed summer squash (such as zucchini, or yellow straight-neck squash), sliced thin or in bite-size cubes 1 medium onion, chopped (you can also use green bunching onions) 2 small to...
Peppers for PicklingWhat are the best peppers for pickling? What kind of peppers are used in pickling?Most peppers work great for pickling, but some of our favorites for pickling include Wax Peppers such as Banana Peppers, Hot Hungarian Wax Peppers, Sweet Hungarian Wax Peppers, Cascabellas, Sweet Cherry peppers, Hot Cherry Peppers, Fresno peppers, and of course any Jalapeno makes a great pickled pepper. Pickling peppers is a great way to use up a lot of peppers and preserve the harvest! Here are some of our f...
How to Grow Chilli PlantsChillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them indoors 6-8 weeks before hardening them off and transplanting them outdoors. Chile plants do great in 5 gallon+ pots, and they also grow very well in the ground. Make sure they have well-draining soil, and amend it with homemade compost if possible to keep the plants healthy. Here our our Top 14 Tips on How to Grow Chilli Plants: ...
Seedling Damping Off - The cure!Wondering why seedlings are struggling?Why are seedlings leggy and weak?Why are seedlings wilting and dying? These are common questions gardeners have when starting seeds for their vegetable garden. Don't worry, there are solutions to all of these issues! The best solution is to provide air circulation and movement! Seedlings need exercise too, otherwise they get spindly and weak and can even get sick from an ailment called "Damping off." Often people think that their seedlin...
Reseeding the Sweet 16: March MadnessReseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!! But to honor the thought, here are our Sweet 16 Peppers to start in March: Our Top Picks for the end of March: These pepper seeds are our picks to plant 6-8 weeks before transplanting outdoors after all chance of frost has passed. Some people start their seeds even earlier, sowing seeds indoors in January, Februar...
Can you grow habanero peppers from seeds?Yes, any gardener can grow habanero peppers from seeds! Habanero peppers are easily grown from seed, but there are a few tips that will help you germinate the seeds and grow productive Habanero plants: 1. Use Fresh Habanero Seeds Use the freshest seeds possible for the best germination. Seeds can typically last 2-5 years (but can be good for up to 25+ years if stored perfectly in dry, cool conditions). If your seeds are a little older, you can just expect that they may not germinate as quick...
How to grow jalapeno peppers from seedsHere are our top tips for growing jalapeño seeds: 1. Use Fresh Jalapeno SeedsWhen perfectly stored, jalapeno seeds can be viable for 25+ years, but realistically they'll last about 2-5 years with the best germination rates. Older seeds won't have as good of germination but that doesn't mean you can't use them, if they germinate you're off to the jalapeno races. Store jalapeno seeds in a cool, dark, dry environment to help them last longer.2. Keep Jalapeno Seeds War...
How to care for container-grown peppersGrowing peppers in containers is a great way to expand your gardening space. As long as you have an area with 6+ hours of sun, you can grow peppers, even on a balcony in the city. First, make sure to pick good pepper varieties that grow well in containers as they are well-suited to growing in pots. Here are our top tips for the best care for container-grown peppers: Container Size: Select a large pot or container with a 12" + diameter and about 5 gallons in size to allow room for the ro...
Jalapeno Salsa RecipeA classic, this Jalapeno Salsa Recipe is sure to please all salsa connoisseurs! Jalapeno Salsa Recipe 2-3 cups of chopped Fresh Tomatoes(or a jar or large 28oz can of preserved tomatoes)1 Bunch of fresh Cilantro leaves(use as much as you'd like)1-3+ Jalapenos - any varietyNote: You can also use any fresh or dried hot peppers for this recipe (Santa Fe Grande Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Thai Hot Peppers, Red Cherry Hot Peppers, Ghost Peppers, you name it!1/2 Onion, Dic...
Vegetable Container GardeningVegetable Container Gardening:The best seeds to grow Even if you don't have a lot of space, vegetable container gardening is possible so you can have your own homegrown veggies and herbs. Starting Seeds for Vegetable Container Gardens: You can start many seeds in a sunny window, or get some inexpensive led or flourescent grow lights and start seeds under the lights to get them growing strong for transplanting into their final containers or pots come spring. The cost of starting your cont...
Gardening by the Zodiac SignsWhen it comes to planting in your garden, soil, sun and seasons aren't the only factors to consider. It turns out the the zodiac signs can be just as important. For the best results, they should be considered when choosing plants for your garden. What to plant in your garden according to your zodiac sign. ARIES (March 21 to April 20) You are a fiery, energetic, and quick individual who likes spicy, invigorating plants and foods. Growing onion, garlic chives, basil, cayenne peppers, a...
What is a Hatch Chile?What is a Hatch chile pepper? Wondering why they are called Hatch chiles? These unique green chiles are called Hatch Chile because they are grown in in the Hatch region of New Mexico. Technically, to be called a true Hatch Chile, these have to be grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico. The soil and climate in the Hatch region is known to create the perfect conditions for the best tasting chile unlike any other. If you get a chance to taste Hatch Green Chile grown in the Hatch region in New ...
Best Peppers to GrowBest Peppers to Grow in 2024! Here are our top picks for peppers to grow in your garden. These delicious selections are productive and easy to grow so you'll enjoy a colorful and tasty harvest of peppers in 2024. 1. Jimmy Nardello So delicious and so productive. It is an old-school heirloom that is just an absolute winner. These tasty sweet peppers can be used for stir fry and pasta sauces. 2. Cayenne Ring of Fire Beautiful pepper that matures early and is spicy! It has a wonderful cayen...
I've found that when you combine roasted carrots, habaneros, lime juice and garlic, it will make the best hot sauce of your life. I think it's the sweetness and depth of the carrots that make the sauce even better, and pairs perfectly with the habanero heat. I got the inspiration from one of my favorite store-bought hot sauces, Marie Sharp's Habanero hot sauce. Sometimes I add some of your Chef's orange tomatoes too to make more of it, and they also give more flavor to the hot sauce and help tame the heat a bit. I grow these in my garden every year along with your orange habaneros, orange tomatoes and other hot peppers and veggies. Very reliable.
These fabulous peppers added lots of color to our patio pots. So pretty in multiple colors, plus you can pick them and add to salsa for a nice spicy kick. These are fun in any ornamental edible garden.
We let these hang dry, then ground them up – they made the tastiest pepper flakes. They have a nice kick, but good flavor too. Easy to grow plants, pretty peppers.
Great seeds, good germination, plants grow quickly and produce lots of pods for roasting. Great flavor and just the right amount of spice. We grow these every year in our garden in Utah.
I tried these purple Cherokee seeds on 2024. This is the first time growing these purple Cherokees and were amazed at the ease of germination and taste
These germinated in two days. I started them in midsummer and they fruited by late fall in my zone 10b garden and are overwintering just fine. I’ll have more to harvest by late spring. I made my red sauce for pozole for Christmas with my harvest!
Big Chiles with just enough heat to add to green enchilada's. The flavor after roasting is fantastic. Since green chile roasting is not a local thing in Eastern Washington we us a weed burner. The smell of roasting peppers is heavenly.
My favorite green chili to grow. Plenty of heat and after roasting sit perfectly on a hamburger. Also my wonderful wife makes Puelo Chili jam that is a real crowd pleaser
Plants were quite bushy and full of peppers. Great flavor. Made a wonderful little Ristra with some of the later harvested peppers. Will continue to grow these yearly.
These plants were super healthy all season long and produced a LOT of fruit. They'll add heat and color to any dish. They made my cowboy candy and pickled jalapeños extra special!
What is the fastest growing pepper?
Wondering what is the fastest growing pepper? We love peppers at Sandia Seed, and we carry the fastest growing pepper seeds for people who want peppers sooner in the summer, and for those who live in short season climates. As this season comes to a close, many gardeners find that some of the longer-season peppers did not ripen before the first frost set in. Growing any of our favorite fastest growing peppers will ensure you'll have plenty of ripe peppers before the temperatures drop! Re...
Chimayó Chile - Grow your own!
The Chimayó Chile is one of our favorite peppers in the world! They have a unique and different flavor that imparts pure deliciousness to many dishes. Many chefs believe that the Chimayó Chile is the most delicious chile pepper in the American southwest. The Chimayó Chile is known by locals in New Mexico as well as by connoisseurs around the world for being one of the tastiest chile you can get your hands on. In fact, NPR recently did a story on this rare treat, give it a listen to get insp...
When to Pick Tomatoes
This Chef's Choice Orange Tomato is getting soft and ready to pick. How do you know when your tomatoes are ready? You know that tomatoes are ready to pick when their skin has changed color, is glossy and there is no green tinge. You will also know a tomato is ready to be picked when it begins to lose its firmness. Once they start to turn to their expected color, just gently squeeze your tomatoes to see if it is firm or gives a bit – if they are starting to get soft, tomatoes are ripe and...
Calabacitas Recipe
The go-to fresh vegetable preparation in New Mexico. Calabacitas always contains summer squash, usually with corn and green chile for extra flavor and texture. Preparing calabacitas is fast, easy, and forgiving so feel free to make it your own. Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 pounds mixed summer squash (such as zucchini, or yellow straight-neck squash), sliced thin or in bite-size cubes 1 medium onion, chopped (you can also use green bunching onions) 2 small to...
Peppers for Pickling
What are the best peppers for pickling? What kind of peppers are used in pickling?Most peppers work great for pickling, but some of our favorites for pickling include Wax Peppers such as Banana Peppers, Hot Hungarian Wax Peppers, Sweet Hungarian Wax Peppers, Cascabellas, Sweet Cherry peppers, Hot Cherry Peppers, Fresno peppers, and of course any Jalapeno makes a great pickled pepper. Pickling peppers is a great way to use up a lot of peppers and preserve the harvest! Here are some of our f...
How to Grow Chilli Plants
Chillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them indoors 6-8 weeks before hardening them off and transplanting them outdoors. Chile plants do great in 5 gallon+ pots, and they also grow very well in the ground. Make sure they have well-draining soil, and amend it with homemade compost if possible to keep the plants healthy. Here our our Top 14 Tips on How to Grow Chilli Plants: ...
Seedling Damping Off - The cure!
Wondering why seedlings are struggling?Why are seedlings leggy and weak?Why are seedlings wilting and dying? These are common questions gardeners have when starting seeds for their vegetable garden. Don't worry, there are solutions to all of these issues! The best solution is to provide air circulation and movement! Seedlings need exercise too, otherwise they get spindly and weak and can even get sick from an ailment called "Damping off." Often people think that their seedlin...
Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness
Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!! But to honor the thought, here are our Sweet 16 Peppers to start in March: Our Top Picks for the end of March: These pepper seeds are our picks to plant 6-8 weeks before transplanting outdoors after all chance of frost has passed. Some people start their seeds even earlier, sowing seeds indoors in January, Februar...
Can you grow habanero peppers from seeds?
Yes, any gardener can grow habanero peppers from seeds! Habanero peppers are easily grown from seed, but there are a few tips that will help you germinate the seeds and grow productive Habanero plants: 1. Use Fresh Habanero Seeds Use the freshest seeds possible for the best germination. Seeds can typically last 2-5 years (but can be good for up to 25+ years if stored perfectly in dry, cool conditions). If your seeds are a little older, you can just expect that they may not germinate as quick...
How to grow jalapeno peppers from seeds
Here are our top tips for growing jalapeño seeds: 1. Use Fresh Jalapeno SeedsWhen perfectly stored, jalapeno seeds can be viable for 25+ years, but realistically they'll last about 2-5 years with the best germination rates. Older seeds won't have as good of germination but that doesn't mean you can't use them, if they germinate you're off to the jalapeno races. Store jalapeno seeds in a cool, dark, dry environment to help them last longer.2. Keep Jalapeno Seeds War...
How to care for container-grown peppers
Growing peppers in containers is a great way to expand your gardening space. As long as you have an area with 6+ hours of sun, you can grow peppers, even on a balcony in the city. First, make sure to pick good pepper varieties that grow well in containers as they are well-suited to growing in pots. Here are our top tips for the best care for container-grown peppers: Container Size: Select a large pot or container with a 12" + diameter and about 5 gallons in size to allow room for the ro...
Jalapeno Salsa Recipe
A classic, this Jalapeno Salsa Recipe is sure to please all salsa connoisseurs! Jalapeno Salsa Recipe 2-3 cups of chopped Fresh Tomatoes(or a jar or large 28oz can of preserved tomatoes)1 Bunch of fresh Cilantro leaves(use as much as you'd like)1-3+ Jalapenos - any varietyNote: You can also use any fresh or dried hot peppers for this recipe (Santa Fe Grande Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Thai Hot Peppers, Red Cherry Hot Peppers, Ghost Peppers, you name it!1/2 Onion, Dic...
Vegetable Container Gardening
Vegetable Container Gardening:The best seeds to grow Even if you don't have a lot of space, vegetable container gardening is possible so you can have your own homegrown veggies and herbs. Starting Seeds for Vegetable Container Gardens: You can start many seeds in a sunny window, or get some inexpensive led or flourescent grow lights and start seeds under the lights to get them growing strong for transplanting into their final containers or pots come spring. The cost of starting your cont...
Gardening by the Zodiac Signs
When it comes to planting in your garden, soil, sun and seasons aren't the only factors to consider. It turns out the the zodiac signs can be just as important. For the best results, they should be considered when choosing plants for your garden. What to plant in your garden according to your zodiac sign. ARIES (March 21 to April 20) You are a fiery, energetic, and quick individual who likes spicy, invigorating plants and foods. Growing onion, garlic chives, basil, cayenne peppers, a...
What is a Hatch Chile?
What is a Hatch chile pepper? Wondering why they are called Hatch chiles? These unique green chiles are called Hatch Chile because they are grown in in the Hatch region of New Mexico. Technically, to be called a true Hatch Chile, these have to be grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico. The soil and climate in the Hatch region is known to create the perfect conditions for the best tasting chile unlike any other. If you get a chance to taste Hatch Green Chile grown in the Hatch region in New ...
Best Peppers to Grow
Best Peppers to Grow in 2024! Here are our top picks for peppers to grow in your garden. These delicious selections are productive and easy to grow so you'll enjoy a colorful and tasty harvest of peppers in 2024. 1. Jimmy Nardello So delicious and so productive. It is an old-school heirloom that is just an absolute winner. These tasty sweet peppers can be used for stir fry and pasta sauces. 2. Cayenne Ring of Fire Beautiful pepper that matures early and is spicy! It has a wonderful cayen...
