Are peppers herbs or spices?We've been asked: Are peppers herbs or spices?Herbs are typically considered the leafy part of the plant, such as basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, cilantro, and oregano. Spices, on the other hand, are typically come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of a plant or tree. So peppers are usually considered a spice, and they are also a fruit. Although, as with many things, these terms aren't always black and white...Peppers are both considered herbs and spices. In fact, the...
What is so special about Aleppo pepper?What is so special about Aleppo pepper?The Aleppo pepper was named the Herb of the Month by the Herb Society of America in September 2023 because of it's outstanding qualities. The Aleppo pepper is delicious as it's mildly spicy and wonderfully sweet – reminiscent of sun-dried tomatoes or raisins combined with cumin and fruity citrus. Their rich flavor and color add depth to any dish – so make sure to grow Aleppo peppers in your garden to store in your spice cabinet! They dry easily a...
Tomatillo Hot Sauce RecipeTry this amazing roasted Tomatillo hot sauce with green jalapenos. 😊💚🔥TOMATILLO HOT SAUCE RECIPE:6-12+ Tomatillos (Green or Purple)4-6+ Green Jalapenos (we used unripe Orange Jalapenos but you can use any green hot pepper!)4+ Cloves of Garlic (or use green Garlic Chives)Handful of Cilantro, stems and leaves (optional)Vinegar to taste/consistencySalt & Pepper to tasteCut tomatillos and jalapenos in half and roast in a cast iron pan or on the grill to blister the skins a bit, let cool in gl...
Can you make money selling peppers?Yes, you can make money selling peppers, specifically pepper seeds – hottest pepper seeds, hot pepper seeds & rare pepper seeds especially are becoming more and more popular with gardeners and food lovers alike. Sandia Seed has seeds for over 100 peppers of the world so you can offer your customers seeds for favorite peppers as well as new peppers that they haven't grown before. One of the reasons gardeners like to start vegetables from seed is the ability to grow peppers and other ve...
Roasted Orange Habanero, Carrot & Tomato Hot Sauce RecipeRoasted Orange Habanero, Carrot & Tomato Hot Sauce Recipe:Could this be the best hot sauce ever?! Maybe. Habaneros (as many as you have) Orange Tomatoes (Chef's Choice or Pineapple Tomatoes) Carrots, sliced into spears Garlic (3-6+ cloves) Vinegar (such as White, Champagne or Rice vinegar, to taste ~ 2 Tablespoons) Salt & Pepper Roast carrots, halved habaneros and tomatoes in a cast iron skillet to brown a bit and condense in the oven under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, or o...
How was Pepper X's heat tested?Wondering how Pepper X's heat was tested? How was Pepper X's heat tested? For crowning Pepper X as the new hottest pepper in the world in 2023, we were curious if Guinness World Records used the new capsaicin-testing devices (like The ChilliPot) to do the test or if they used the standard Scoville tasting panel to determine the number of Scovilles. The standard Scoville panel test determines the amount of Scovilles based on the measure of the degree of dilution at which the pepper'...
Wholesale Pepper SeedsSell Peppers of the World and Get 50% Off an Initial Order of $300 or more with Sandia Seed! Wholesale customers receive 50% off your first order over $300*. After your first Wholesale order, all future reorders of any amount will be 50% off with no minimum. We also have some beautiful seed displays and our top-selling seed collections that will display hundreds of seed packets and look great in your store! Learn how to signup to become a Seed Reseller on our Wholesale Seeds page » We have o...
How to Transplant Pepper PlantsHow to Transplant Pepper Plants Whether you started your own pepper seeds, or if you're transplanting peppers from the garden center, here are our top tips for best success. Transplanting peppers is a simple process, though there are a few tricks to help your pepper transplants thrive. 1. Make sure to harden off your seedlings first! This simply means to bring indoor-started pepper plants outside and expose them to the sun gradually. This will help avoid transplant shock. 2. Create Labe...
How to grow hot peppers: The best advice from pepper growersWhat is the best hot pepper growing advice you have ever received? Just go for it! Some people just don't try. Grow some of the fastest growing peppers to start, as they are easier to germinate and you get to harvest them much sooner than some other varieties such as many of the super hot peppers. These fast growing peppers are also great for short season gardening – so you can get plenty of peppers before your first frost. Start Seeds Indoors: We recommend starting hot pepper seeds ...
Happy June Gardening!It's June 1st, but it's not too late to plant zucchini seeds! Our Summer Squash Black Beauty Zucchini produces a huge crop of tender zucchini squash during the summer - and they are super fast growing, they start to harvest in 55 days! We direct sow the seeds in mounds in the garden, zucchini plants grow fast and don't like to get root bound, so starting them indoors is unnecessary. It's June...Is it too late to plant seeds? There are plenty of other veggies that you can p...
Salsa Garden PeppersFavorite Salsa Garden Peppers Oh boy, it's hard to pick just one favorite salsa garden pepper. If you're a salsa connoisseur, you know that there isn't just one perfect pepper for salsa! You can put all sorts of hot peppers and green chiles into salsa, and sweet peppers, too. There is no right or wrong pepper for salsa! Jalapeños are classic, while roasted Hatch Green Chiles add flavor and body to salsas. Or you can try some super hot peppers for a spicy delight! Same g...
Fried Zucchini Blossoms RecipeFried Zucchini Blossoms Recipe Did you know that you can eat the beautiful zucchini blossoms? We like to stuff them with hummus or cheese and garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil then dunk them in a simple flour and soda water batter and fry in a cast iron skillet. YUM! See recipe... Baked or FriedZucchini Blossoms Recipe INGREDIENTS: 8-12 Squash Blossoms (any zucchini, squash or pumpkin blossoms)Fresh Basil or Sage Leaves (1/2 cup+)Hummus (homemade or store-bought)orRicotta Cheese (a...
When to Plant Cucumber SeedsWondering when to plant cucumber seeds? Well, it's mid-June and it is the perfect time to plant cucumber seeds! You can plant cucumbers seeds after all chance of frost has past, for many areas in the United States that is from May to June, depending on your growing region. As they are fast growing, you could also plant cucumber seeds in June and early July and still have time for a harvest in late summer and fall. We find that they do best when planted directly in the ground. But, if you ...
What Seeds to Plant in AugustWondering what to plant in August? In the West, we start seeds for the following vegetables in August:Lettuces, spinach, beets, carrots, green onions, cilantro, basil, bok choy, mizuna, kale, peas, green beans, broccoli, sugar snap peas, radishes and cabbage. Now is a great time to fill in bare spots in your garden or to start seeds to plant into places where cucumbers, basil or other summer veggies are at the end of their production. Vegetables to Plant in August-SeptemberSome of the cool w...
Gardening ChallengesWhat are your biggest garden challenges? Every gardener has challenges, it's part of what makes gardening fun! Learning something new every year, gardeners accumulate lots of knowledge over time via experience. What are some of your top challenges in your garden? WeatherWeather can be harsh sometimes, especially with late spring storms, hurricanes and tropical storms, non-stop rain, freezing cold temperatures, super hot 90˚F+ temperatures, you name it. We like to start many vegetables suc...
What is the best way to transplant tomato plants?Transplanting tomatoes? Here's our five top tips for the best way to transplant tomato plants into your garden: 1. Harden off your indoor-started tomato seedlings first so they don't get shocked by sun, pick an overcast day, or plant in the morning or evening so you aren't planting in full sun. 2. Amend soil where you will be planting with homemade compost if you have it. You can also put some compost deep into the planting hole. 3. Pinch off some of the lower leaves. 4. Remove s...
Largest PeppersLooking to grow the world’s Largest Peppers? World’s Largest Pepper If you're looking for the world record largest pepper, look no further than the Big Jim chile – this humongous pepper is the current Guinness Book of World Record holder for being the largest chile pepper in the world! These giant peppers can grow up to 14" in length, but typically range from 8-10". Because of their large size, they are easy to roast and peel for the most excellent green chile! This, the larges...
Salsa Garden LayoutSALSA GARDEN LAYOUT Salsa Garden Layout If you're planning a Salsa Garden, here's some tips! Give tomato plants a lot of space! You can plant jalapenos closer together as they don't grow as large as tomato plants. Make sure to give them enough room away from the tomatoes so they don't get engulfed! Cilantro and Green onions can be grown along the sides of your garden as a border or in between the tomatoes and peppers. We put together this sample Salsa Garden Layout above – bu...
Which is hotter red or green Hatch chile?Which is hotter, red or green Hatch chile? You may think that red chile is hotter than green Hatch chile, but it really depends on the variety! Did you know that all Hatch chile varieties eventually turn red as they ripen to full maturity? That doesn't mean they necessarily get hotter – as they redden they develop deeper often sweeter flavor, while the heat level doesn't typically increase. Hot Hatch Chile varieties are usually always hot, and mild chile varieties are usually alw...
Why are my pepper plants turning yellow?A common question from gardeners is:“Why are my pepper plants turning yellow?” Yellow leaves on peppers can be caused by a few issues. Here are a few causes of yellow leaves on your pepper plants: #1 Cause: OverwateringThis is what we think is the most common cause of yellowing pepper plants. Some gardeners give their pepper plants too much "love" in the form of water, resulting in drowning their roots in soggy soil. It doesn't take long for pepper plants in soggy soil to sta...
Are peppers herbs or spices?
We've been asked: Are peppers herbs or spices?Herbs are typically considered the leafy part of the plant, such as basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, cilantro, and oregano. Spices, on the other hand, are typically come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of a plant or tree. So peppers are usually considered a spice, and they are also a fruit. Although, as with many things, these terms aren't always black and white...Peppers are both considered herbs and spices. In fact, the...
What is so special about Aleppo pepper?
What is so special about Aleppo pepper?The Aleppo pepper was named the Herb of the Month by the Herb Society of America in September 2023 because of it's outstanding qualities. The Aleppo pepper is delicious as it's mildly spicy and wonderfully sweet – reminiscent of sun-dried tomatoes or raisins combined with cumin and fruity citrus. Their rich flavor and color add depth to any dish – so make sure to grow Aleppo peppers in your garden to store in your spice cabinet! They dry easily a...
Tomatillo Hot Sauce Recipe
Try this amazing roasted Tomatillo hot sauce with green jalapenos. 😊💚🔥TOMATILLO HOT SAUCE RECIPE:6-12+ Tomatillos (Green or Purple)4-6+ Green Jalapenos (we used unripe Orange Jalapenos but you can use any green hot pepper!)4+ Cloves of Garlic (or use green Garlic Chives)Handful of Cilantro, stems and leaves (optional)Vinegar to taste/consistencySalt & Pepper to tasteCut tomatillos and jalapenos in half and roast in a cast iron pan or on the grill to blister the skins a bit, let cool in gl...
Can you make money selling peppers?
Yes, you can make money selling peppers, specifically pepper seeds – hottest pepper seeds, hot pepper seeds & rare pepper seeds especially are becoming more and more popular with gardeners and food lovers alike. Sandia Seed has seeds for over 100 peppers of the world so you can offer your customers seeds for favorite peppers as well as new peppers that they haven't grown before. One of the reasons gardeners like to start vegetables from seed is the ability to grow peppers and other ve...
Roasted Orange Habanero, Carrot & Tomato Hot Sauce Recipe
Roasted Orange Habanero, Carrot & Tomato Hot Sauce Recipe:Could this be the best hot sauce ever?! Maybe. Habaneros (as many as you have) Orange Tomatoes (Chef's Choice or Pineapple Tomatoes) Carrots, sliced into spears Garlic (3-6+ cloves) Vinegar (such as White, Champagne or Rice vinegar, to taste ~ 2 Tablespoons) Salt & Pepper Roast carrots, halved habaneros and tomatoes in a cast iron skillet to brown a bit and condense in the oven under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, or o...
How was Pepper X's heat tested?
Wondering how Pepper X's heat was tested? How was Pepper X's heat tested? For crowning Pepper X as the new hottest pepper in the world in 2023, we were curious if Guinness World Records used the new capsaicin-testing devices (like The ChilliPot) to do the test or if they used the standard Scoville tasting panel to determine the number of Scovilles. The standard Scoville panel test determines the amount of Scovilles based on the measure of the degree of dilution at which the pepper'...
Wholesale Pepper Seeds
Sell Peppers of the World and Get 50% Off an Initial Order of $300 or more with Sandia Seed! Wholesale customers receive 50% off your first order over $300*. After your first Wholesale order, all future reorders of any amount will be 50% off with no minimum. We also have some beautiful seed displays and our top-selling seed collections that will display hundreds of seed packets and look great in your store! Learn how to signup to become a Seed Reseller on our Wholesale Seeds page » We have o...
How to Transplant Pepper Plants
How to Transplant Pepper Plants Whether you started your own pepper seeds, or if you're transplanting peppers from the garden center, here are our top tips for best success. Transplanting peppers is a simple process, though there are a few tricks to help your pepper transplants thrive. 1. Make sure to harden off your seedlings first! This simply means to bring indoor-started pepper plants outside and expose them to the sun gradually. This will help avoid transplant shock. 2. Create Labe...
How to grow hot peppers: The best advice from pepper growers
What is the best hot pepper growing advice you have ever received? Just go for it! Some people just don't try. Grow some of the fastest growing peppers to start, as they are easier to germinate and you get to harvest them much sooner than some other varieties such as many of the super hot peppers. These fast growing peppers are also great for short season gardening – so you can get plenty of peppers before your first frost. Start Seeds Indoors: We recommend starting hot pepper seeds ...
Happy June Gardening!
It's June 1st, but it's not too late to plant zucchini seeds! Our Summer Squash Black Beauty Zucchini produces a huge crop of tender zucchini squash during the summer - and they are super fast growing, they start to harvest in 55 days! We direct sow the seeds in mounds in the garden, zucchini plants grow fast and don't like to get root bound, so starting them indoors is unnecessary. It's June...Is it too late to plant seeds? There are plenty of other veggies that you can p...
Salsa Garden Peppers
Favorite Salsa Garden Peppers Oh boy, it's hard to pick just one favorite salsa garden pepper. If you're a salsa connoisseur, you know that there isn't just one perfect pepper for salsa! You can put all sorts of hot peppers and green chiles into salsa, and sweet peppers, too. There is no right or wrong pepper for salsa! Jalapeños are classic, while roasted Hatch Green Chiles add flavor and body to salsas. Or you can try some super hot peppers for a spicy delight! Same g...
Fried Zucchini Blossoms Recipe
Fried Zucchini Blossoms Recipe Did you know that you can eat the beautiful zucchini blossoms? We like to stuff them with hummus or cheese and garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil then dunk them in a simple flour and soda water batter and fry in a cast iron skillet. YUM! See recipe... Baked or FriedZucchini Blossoms Recipe INGREDIENTS: 8-12 Squash Blossoms (any zucchini, squash or pumpkin blossoms)Fresh Basil or Sage Leaves (1/2 cup+)Hummus (homemade or store-bought)orRicotta Cheese (a...
When to Plant Cucumber Seeds
Wondering when to plant cucumber seeds? Well, it's mid-June and it is the perfect time to plant cucumber seeds! You can plant cucumbers seeds after all chance of frost has past, for many areas in the United States that is from May to June, depending on your growing region. As they are fast growing, you could also plant cucumber seeds in June and early July and still have time for a harvest in late summer and fall. We find that they do best when planted directly in the ground. But, if you ...
What Seeds to Plant in August
Wondering what to plant in August? In the West, we start seeds for the following vegetables in August:Lettuces, spinach, beets, carrots, green onions, cilantro, basil, bok choy, mizuna, kale, peas, green beans, broccoli, sugar snap peas, radishes and cabbage. Now is a great time to fill in bare spots in your garden or to start seeds to plant into places where cucumbers, basil or other summer veggies are at the end of their production. Vegetables to Plant in August-SeptemberSome of the cool w...
Gardening Challenges
What are your biggest garden challenges? Every gardener has challenges, it's part of what makes gardening fun! Learning something new every year, gardeners accumulate lots of knowledge over time via experience. What are some of your top challenges in your garden? WeatherWeather can be harsh sometimes, especially with late spring storms, hurricanes and tropical storms, non-stop rain, freezing cold temperatures, super hot 90˚F+ temperatures, you name it. We like to start many vegetables suc...
What is the best way to transplant tomato plants?
Transplanting tomatoes? Here's our five top tips for the best way to transplant tomato plants into your garden: 1. Harden off your indoor-started tomato seedlings first so they don't get shocked by sun, pick an overcast day, or plant in the morning or evening so you aren't planting in full sun. 2. Amend soil where you will be planting with homemade compost if you have it. You can also put some compost deep into the planting hole. 3. Pinch off some of the lower leaves. 4. Remove s...
Largest Peppers
Looking to grow the world’s Largest Peppers? World’s Largest Pepper If you're looking for the world record largest pepper, look no further than the Big Jim chile – this humongous pepper is the current Guinness Book of World Record holder for being the largest chile pepper in the world! These giant peppers can grow up to 14" in length, but typically range from 8-10". Because of their large size, they are easy to roast and peel for the most excellent green chile! This, the larges...
Salsa Garden Layout
SALSA GARDEN LAYOUT Salsa Garden Layout If you're planning a Salsa Garden, here's some tips! Give tomato plants a lot of space! You can plant jalapenos closer together as they don't grow as large as tomato plants. Make sure to give them enough room away from the tomatoes so they don't get engulfed! Cilantro and Green onions can be grown along the sides of your garden as a border or in between the tomatoes and peppers. We put together this sample Salsa Garden Layout above – bu...
Which is hotter red or green Hatch chile?
Which is hotter, red or green Hatch chile? You may think that red chile is hotter than green Hatch chile, but it really depends on the variety! Did you know that all Hatch chile varieties eventually turn red as they ripen to full maturity? That doesn't mean they necessarily get hotter – as they redden they develop deeper often sweeter flavor, while the heat level doesn't typically increase. Hot Hatch Chile varieties are usually always hot, and mild chile varieties are usually alw...
Why are my pepper plants turning yellow?
A common question from gardeners is:“Why are my pepper plants turning yellow?” Yellow leaves on peppers can be caused by a few issues. Here are a few causes of yellow leaves on your pepper plants: #1 Cause: OverwateringThis is what we think is the most common cause of yellowing pepper plants. Some gardeners give their pepper plants too much "love" in the form of water, resulting in drowning their roots in soggy soil. It doesn't take long for pepper plants in soggy soil to sta...
