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...
Grow the Biggest PeppersWondering how to grow the biggest peppers? What is the trick to growing larger peppers? First, start off with the largest pepper varieties, such as the Legacy Big Jim chile. This giant was recognized by Guinness World Records for being the largest chile pepper in the world, and is beloved by chileheads. These New Mexican chiles have great flavor, thick flesh, and mild to medium heat with 2,000 - 4,000 Scovilles. These chile giants can grow up to 14" in length, but typically range from 8...
Hatch Chile Seeds: From Planting to HarvestIntroduction to growing Hatch Chile Seeds Growing your own delicious Hatch chile peppers from seeds is a rewarding experience, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner. These flavorful peppers, originating from New Mexico's Hatch Valley, are beloved for their versatility in dishes like stews, salsas, and chile rellenos. With the right care, you can cultivate a thriving crop of Hatch chiles in your garden, ranging from mild to fiery hot. You don't have to be in Hatch, NM to...
What kind of pepper is used for chile rellenos?Question: Could you recommend an interesting & delicious pepper to grow that I can eventually use to make chile rellenos? Answer: There is not just one perfect chile pepper for Chile Rellenos! While poblano peppers are historically the most commonly used peppers for rellenos, there are many varieties that are perfect for them. Our recommendation is to use any in-season variety of Hatch Chile, Poblano, or Anaheim Chile – you can enjoy any of them as chile rellenos! You can choose super h...
Seeds to Plant in May - Direct SowingA summer squash above was direct seeded in mounds in May at a community garden in Denver. Squash is best direct sown as it doesn't like to have it's roots disturbed, so we generally plant it directly in the garden in May and June. Is May too late to direct sow seeds? Answer: Nope! May is a great time to direct sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere! May marks the transition from spring to summer in many regions, and the days are super long in M...
Edible Nasturtium for your Vegetable GardenNasturtium flowers are beautiful and add artistic flair to your vegetable garden! Plus, the leaves and flowers are edible – they are tasty and a bit spicy, their peppery flavor tastes great when added to salads or as a garnish on any dish. Easy to grow from seeds, direct sow them! They have beautiful edible flowers, leaves and seed pods. Nasturtiums are also a great companion plant for peppers and tomatoes as they attract beneficial insects and deter some pests in the garden. They are ...
Mild Peppers to GrowThere are so many tasty mild peppers to grow for people who don't want a lot of spice or any spice in their food. You can grow completely sweet peppers with 0 Scovilles (no heat), or you can grow mild pepper seeds with just a dash of spice. Check our our List of Peppers by Heat for all the mild peppers we carry at the top of the list - we carry seeds for over 101 peppers of the world, and there are so many unusual, exotic and delicious mild pepper varieties to grow for your kitchen. Check...
Best Peppers for SalsaIf you love salsa like us, growing hot peppers from seed is a great way to step up your salsa game! Best Peppers in Salsa: With tons of different peppers to choose from in different heat levels, flavors and colors, don't limit yourself to just Jalapenos and Serranos – which are the most popular choices – be sure to try all sorts of hot peppers in your salsa to taste the rainbow of flavors! Roasted Anaheim chile, green chile and poblano peppers offer a milder, smoky flavor. Or for a wi...
20% OFF SEEDS TO PLANT IN MAY & JUNEMay and June are great months to sow seeds! That's right, May and June is great time to sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere.To help you get started, we're offering 20% OFF SEEDS TO PLANT IN MAY & JUNEUse discount code: PLANTNOWExpires May 23, 2025 SHOP SEEDS ON SALE » Learn more about what seeds are best to direct sow in May & June »
Why are pepper plants turning yellow even with fertilizer?Wondering why some of your pepper plants are turning yellow even with fertilizer?Yellow leaves on your pepper plants may not be because you aren't fertilizing enough, they could have plenty of fertilizer but other issues can cause yellow leaves. While it is true that not enough nitrogen in the soil is a reason pepper plant leaves turn yellow, that is definitely not always the case! There may be plenty of nitrogen and other nutrients, but too much of another thing - water. One of the most ...
What to plant with TomatoesWondering what to plant with tomatoes to help them thrive? Here are some of our top suggestions: Basil – basil and tomatoes are the perfect companions! It's been said that growing a basil plant next to your tomatoes can improve the growth and taste of tomatoes. Basil also helps repel garden pests like aphids and spider mites, while attracting pollinators with it's blooms. It's also perfect to grow basil with tomatoes because they complement each other in the kitchen! Think tomat...
Freeze Peppers!What is the best way to freeze peppers? At the end of the season, sometimes you have a ton of peppers but not much time to make salsa or use them in recipes. An easy way to preserve them is to pop them whole into the freezer for later use! Make sure to freeze them within a day of harvesting so they are as fresh as possible with no chance of mold growing inside. Can you freeze peppers whole?You sure can! First, wash and dry your fresh hot peppers or sweet peppers, making sure to remove any ...
October Gardening TipsHappy October! Here are some of our top tips for October Gardening: 1. Harvest your Peppers (and other veggies)! Harvest your peppers and other summer vegetables like tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and eggplants. Did you know you can freeze fresh whole peppers or cored tomatoes for later use? Sometimes that's easier when they come in waves and you're short on time. October is also a great time to pick and roast your chiles to freeze or use right away – learn how to roast chile » 2. Ma...
How to grow Jalapenos from SeedsFind our top 12 tips for How to grow Jalapenos from Seeds below: 1. Use fresh, high quality Jalapeño seeds:In recent years, jalapeño seeds have experienced what many are calling "Peppergate" – which meant that the seeds did not grow true to seed. Many people who purchased Jalapeno seeds from even some major seed companies experienced that the seeds grew into Banana Peppers. Not that Banana Peppers aren't also delicious, but they are certainly NOT Jalapeños and they didn't ...
Pepper Seed CatalogDiscover the best Pepper Seed Catalog this season! Sandia Seed Company offers a comprehensive pepper seed catalog featuring a diverse range of seeds, particularly known for its extensive selection of specialty peppers. This makes for great winter-time reading, dreaming and plotting! Peppers: The catalog includes 101 varieties of specialty peppers, ranging from sweet peppers to extremely hot peppers. We also have the largest selection of New Mexican Chile Seeds including green chiles, red ...
Best Vegetable Seed CatalogLooking for the best vegetable seed catalog?Look no further, if you want to add a great new vegetable seed catalog to your collection, make sure to order one of Sandia Seed's 2025 Seed Catalogs – these full color catalogs are packed with 101 peppers of the world, plus tons of vegetable seeds including easy to grow heirloom tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, herbs, edible flowers and so much more. This is the perfect vegetable seed catalog for salsa lovers – grow a salsa garden with several va...
Apple Hot Sauce RecipeApple Hot Sauce Recipe Have a ton of apples from a tree that you don't know what to do with? Like savory? Check out this yummy apple hot sauce recipe that has some sweetness from your apples! 3-6 cups hot peppers (2-3 lbs) 1-2 white onions 1 cup of tomatoes 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, seeds removed, diced, about 2 cups) 1-2 cups apple cider vinegar or white vinegar 10-20 garlic cloves ⅓ cup / 2 oz mustard seed (optional) 1-2 tablespoons salt (use ...
How to dry Aleppo PeppersHow to dry Aleppo Peppers There are several ways you can dry your homegrown Aleppo peppers so you can use them year-round in the kitchen. Aleppo peppers have the best flavor and they make great red pepper flakes for a burst of spice and deliciousness on any dish. The infamous Aleppo pepper, also known as Halaby chile pepper, is a variety of Capsicum annuum that is named after the city of Aleppo in the Mediterranean. It has a nice heat to it with 10,000 scovilles, paired with a bright red c...
How long do Habanero Plants LiveHabanero plants can live for many years if protected from cold temperatures and given adequate light and water. Habanero plants are actually perennials in growing regions without frost, so they can live for many years in tropical gardens in USDA Zones 9 and above. Most of us in Zones 8 and below, however, grow Habanero plants as annuals. Here in the US West, we start Habanero seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost, then transplant them outdoors when the temperatures have warmed up to over 50-6...
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...
Grow the Biggest Peppers
Wondering how to grow the biggest peppers? What is the trick to growing larger peppers? First, start off with the largest pepper varieties, such as the Legacy Big Jim chile. This giant was recognized by Guinness World Records for being the largest chile pepper in the world, and is beloved by chileheads. These New Mexican chiles have great flavor, thick flesh, and mild to medium heat with 2,000 - 4,000 Scovilles. These chile giants can grow up to 14" in length, but typically range from 8...
Hatch Chile Seeds: From Planting to Harvest
Introduction to growing Hatch Chile Seeds Growing your own delicious Hatch chile peppers from seeds is a rewarding experience, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner. These flavorful peppers, originating from New Mexico's Hatch Valley, are beloved for their versatility in dishes like stews, salsas, and chile rellenos. With the right care, you can cultivate a thriving crop of Hatch chiles in your garden, ranging from mild to fiery hot. You don't have to be in Hatch, NM to...
What kind of pepper is used for chile rellenos?
Question: Could you recommend an interesting & delicious pepper to grow that I can eventually use to make chile rellenos? Answer: There is not just one perfect chile pepper for Chile Rellenos! While poblano peppers are historically the most commonly used peppers for rellenos, there are many varieties that are perfect for them. Our recommendation is to use any in-season variety of Hatch Chile, Poblano, or Anaheim Chile – you can enjoy any of them as chile rellenos! You can choose super h...
Seeds to Plant in May - Direct Sowing
A summer squash above was direct seeded in mounds in May at a community garden in Denver. Squash is best direct sown as it doesn't like to have it's roots disturbed, so we generally plant it directly in the garden in May and June. Is May too late to direct sow seeds? Answer: Nope! May is a great time to direct sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere! May marks the transition from spring to summer in many regions, and the days are super long in M...
Edible Nasturtium for your Vegetable Garden
Nasturtium flowers are beautiful and add artistic flair to your vegetable garden! Plus, the leaves and flowers are edible – they are tasty and a bit spicy, their peppery flavor tastes great when added to salads or as a garnish on any dish. Easy to grow from seeds, direct sow them! They have beautiful edible flowers, leaves and seed pods. Nasturtiums are also a great companion plant for peppers and tomatoes as they attract beneficial insects and deter some pests in the garden. They are ...
Mild Peppers to Grow
There are so many tasty mild peppers to grow for people who don't want a lot of spice or any spice in their food. You can grow completely sweet peppers with 0 Scovilles (no heat), or you can grow mild pepper seeds with just a dash of spice. Check our our List of Peppers by Heat for all the mild peppers we carry at the top of the list - we carry seeds for over 101 peppers of the world, and there are so many unusual, exotic and delicious mild pepper varieties to grow for your kitchen. Check...
Best Peppers for Salsa
If you love salsa like us, growing hot peppers from seed is a great way to step up your salsa game! Best Peppers in Salsa: With tons of different peppers to choose from in different heat levels, flavors and colors, don't limit yourself to just Jalapenos and Serranos – which are the most popular choices – be sure to try all sorts of hot peppers in your salsa to taste the rainbow of flavors! Roasted Anaheim chile, green chile and poblano peppers offer a milder, smoky flavor. Or for a wi...
20% OFF SEEDS TO PLANT IN MAY & JUNE
May and June are great months to sow seeds! That's right, May and June is great time to sow many seeds in most growing regions in most of the Northern Hemisphere.To help you get started, we're offering 20% OFF SEEDS TO PLANT IN MAY & JUNEUse discount code: PLANTNOWExpires May 23, 2025 SHOP SEEDS ON SALE » Learn more about what seeds are best to direct sow in May & June »
Why are pepper plants turning yellow even with fertilizer?
Wondering why some of your pepper plants are turning yellow even with fertilizer?Yellow leaves on your pepper plants may not be because you aren't fertilizing enough, they could have plenty of fertilizer but other issues can cause yellow leaves. While it is true that not enough nitrogen in the soil is a reason pepper plant leaves turn yellow, that is definitely not always the case! There may be plenty of nitrogen and other nutrients, but too much of another thing - water. One of the most ...
What to plant with Tomatoes
Wondering what to plant with tomatoes to help them thrive? Here are some of our top suggestions: Basil – basil and tomatoes are the perfect companions! It's been said that growing a basil plant next to your tomatoes can improve the growth and taste of tomatoes. Basil also helps repel garden pests like aphids and spider mites, while attracting pollinators with it's blooms. It's also perfect to grow basil with tomatoes because they complement each other in the kitchen! Think tomat...
Freeze Peppers!
What is the best way to freeze peppers? At the end of the season, sometimes you have a ton of peppers but not much time to make salsa or use them in recipes. An easy way to preserve them is to pop them whole into the freezer for later use! Make sure to freeze them within a day of harvesting so they are as fresh as possible with no chance of mold growing inside. Can you freeze peppers whole?You sure can! First, wash and dry your fresh hot peppers or sweet peppers, making sure to remove any ...
October Gardening Tips
Happy October! Here are some of our top tips for October Gardening: 1. Harvest your Peppers (and other veggies)! Harvest your peppers and other summer vegetables like tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and eggplants. Did you know you can freeze fresh whole peppers or cored tomatoes for later use? Sometimes that's easier when they come in waves and you're short on time. October is also a great time to pick and roast your chiles to freeze or use right away – learn how to roast chile » 2. Ma...
How to grow Jalapenos from Seeds
Find our top 12 tips for How to grow Jalapenos from Seeds below: 1. Use fresh, high quality Jalapeño seeds:In recent years, jalapeño seeds have experienced what many are calling "Peppergate" – which meant that the seeds did not grow true to seed. Many people who purchased Jalapeno seeds from even some major seed companies experienced that the seeds grew into Banana Peppers. Not that Banana Peppers aren't also delicious, but they are certainly NOT Jalapeños and they didn't ...
Pepper Seed Catalog
Discover the best Pepper Seed Catalog this season! Sandia Seed Company offers a comprehensive pepper seed catalog featuring a diverse range of seeds, particularly known for its extensive selection of specialty peppers. This makes for great winter-time reading, dreaming and plotting! Peppers: The catalog includes 101 varieties of specialty peppers, ranging from sweet peppers to extremely hot peppers. We also have the largest selection of New Mexican Chile Seeds including green chiles, red ...
Best Vegetable Seed Catalog
Looking for the best vegetable seed catalog?Look no further, if you want to add a great new vegetable seed catalog to your collection, make sure to order one of Sandia Seed's 2025 Seed Catalogs – these full color catalogs are packed with 101 peppers of the world, plus tons of vegetable seeds including easy to grow heirloom tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, herbs, edible flowers and so much more. This is the perfect vegetable seed catalog for salsa lovers – grow a salsa garden with several va...
Apple Hot Sauce Recipe
Apple Hot Sauce Recipe Have a ton of apples from a tree that you don't know what to do with? Like savory? Check out this yummy apple hot sauce recipe that has some sweetness from your apples! 3-6 cups hot peppers (2-3 lbs) 1-2 white onions 1 cup of tomatoes 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, seeds removed, diced, about 2 cups) 1-2 cups apple cider vinegar or white vinegar 10-20 garlic cloves ⅓ cup / 2 oz mustard seed (optional) 1-2 tablespoons salt (use ...
How to dry Aleppo Peppers
How to dry Aleppo Peppers There are several ways you can dry your homegrown Aleppo peppers so you can use them year-round in the kitchen. Aleppo peppers have the best flavor and they make great red pepper flakes for a burst of spice and deliciousness on any dish. The infamous Aleppo pepper, also known as Halaby chile pepper, is a variety of Capsicum annuum that is named after the city of Aleppo in the Mediterranean. It has a nice heat to it with 10,000 scovilles, paired with a bright red c...
How long do Habanero Plants Live
Habanero plants can live for many years if protected from cold temperatures and given adequate light and water. Habanero plants are actually perennials in growing regions without frost, so they can live for many years in tropical gardens in USDA Zones 9 and above. Most of us in Zones 8 and below, however, grow Habanero plants as annuals. Here in the US West, we start Habanero seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost, then transplant them outdoors when the temperatures have warmed up to over 50-6...
