Do some peppers take longer to germinate?How long does it take to germinate pepper seeds?Do some peppers take longer to germinate? Yes, some peppers take longer than others to germinate – super hot peppers such as the Chinense varieties usually take the longest, and, when stubborn, can sometimes take up to 4-6 weeks to germinate. Many faster growing peppers like Annuum varieties can germinate in 7-10 days. It's very important to BE PATIENT with pepper seeds, as they will surprise you and sometimes sprout long after you've gi...
When to Plant Pepper SeedsWhen to Plant Pepper Seeds Many of our customers ask us "Is now a good time to start pepper seeds?" – and we always say it depends on where you are and what your seed starting setup is like. We typically recommend that pepper seeds be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last average frost date. Depending on where you live, the time to plant peppers and other warm-weather vegetables like tomatoes is usually late May or early June, but can be earlier for warmer regions. We don'...
Early Tomatoes: VarietiesLooking for early tomato varieties? Sandia Seed has several ultra early tomato plants that are sure to please any tomato-lover. Our fastest growing tomatoes are also some of the best tasting tomatoes, too, so make sure to grow a few of these early tomato varieties in your garden to enjoy a longer tomato harvest season. These tomatoes are also great to grow if you're starting seeds later than you wanted, tomato seeds sprout fast and grow into robust plants quickly, so these short season ...
How to Grow Bell PeppersWondering How to Grow Bell Peppers?Here are our top tips for Growing Bell Peppers: Bell peppers are relatively easy to grow, but here are a few tips so you can have the best success! First, plant pepper seeds at least 8-10 weeks before your area's last frost date. Plant seeds in pre-moistened well-draining seedling starter mix and bury the seeds about 1/4" deep. Use a seedling heat mat to speed up germination – this will help keep the seeds warm, ideally 80-90˚ F is optimal for fast...
Pepper SeedsPepper Seeds Sandia Seed carries over 100 peppers of the world that you can grow in your garden! Our seeds have very high germination rates and grow into a variety of peppers that are sure to please any pepper lover! We also specialize in New Mexican Chile seeds such as Hatch Chile seeds, Poblano seeds, and other New Mexican favorites.Want sweet, mild, hot or super hot pepper seeds?We got you covered on pepper seeds with every heat level, from no heat at all to wicked hot. Here is a list of o...
Guess how many seeds are in the jar for a chance to WIN!Seed Jar Contest Results: There were 6,755 seeds in the jar! Congrats to E.C. who was the closest with a guess of 6,721 – he won a $25 Gift Card + a Seed Catalog! Thanks to all your posted guesses on Facebook and Instagram! ORIGINAL CONTEST: Guess how many seeds are in the jar above for a chance to WIN a $25 Gift Card + a Seed Catalog!Those who entered submited Guessesby commenting on our posts on Facebook or Instagramfor a chance to win the prize. We announced the winner on February 1st, ...
Spots on Pepper LeavesDo you have spots on your pepper plant's leaves?Spots on peppers leaves could be from a few different things. Common ailments of peppers is called pepper leaf spot or bacterial spot. This ailment that creates spotted leaves on peppers occurs commonly in humid, wet weather. This purple bell pepper plant above has the common Bacterial leaf spot. Don't despair, you should still get plenty of peppers despite this issue! Bacterial leaf spot is a common ailment of peppers that is cause...
Hot Pepper Comic"I'm not sure what the big deal is about Carolina Reapers... They don't have any heat."Hot Pepper Comic featuring the famous Carolina Reaper and a Bird Did you know birds can't feel the heat? In addition to spicing up hot sauce and salsas, some of our pepper seed customers grow our super hot peppers like the Carolina Reaper to dry and add to their seed mixes to discourage squirrels. Birds don't taste the heat but squirrels and other rodents do! Grow your own bird seed...
Seeds to Sow in August for a Fall HarvestIt's not too late to sow more seeds and enjoy more food from your garden this season. August is a great time to plant fall crops so that you can enjoy and preserve the abundance before winter arrives. Seeds to Sow in August for a bountiful Fall Harvest Bush Beans - Ready in just 50 days!, bush beans are the perfect pairing with tomatoes or peppers, you can easily tuck in these fast growing edible plants in your garden. Beans are great companion plants and they also boost the soil nut...
Vegetable Garden HacksHere are some vegetable garden hacks from fellow gardeners to try: I plant my peppers in pots as I'm in a short season climate, so I can move them to a warm place during late spring cool weather or early fall cool weather and frosts to extend the season. I also use a small garden bed hoop house with greenhouse film to cover them on cold nights below 50˚in spring and fall. Adding alfalfa pellets to my beds for slow release nitrogen to feed the beneficial bacteria in the soil not the plant...
Sharing VeggiesThere is nothing better than growing your food than also sharing your homegrown produce! Share your extra garden harvests with neighbors, friends and family, or by trading produce in local online groups, setting up a free driveway stand, or donating fresh harvest to community pantries and food banks. When you grow your own food, you often have way more than you need, and it's so rewarding to share your bounty with others. Above: Herbs Share in the neighborhood: What a fun front-yard comm...
Ask five gardeners a question and you will get six different answers.😂😂Ask five gardeners a question and you will get six different answers.😂 Ain't that the truth? Gardening is all about experiences, trials and errors... and above all, experimenting! After all, there are no gardening mistakes, only experiments! For example: Some people swear that topping their young peppers will result in more yields. But many people, especially those in short growing seasons, find that the opposite is true – topping peppers only delays their production. Find our advice on...
Tabasco Pepper Salsa RecipeSandia Seed's Tabasco Pepper Salsa Recipe Make this delicious salsa with fresh or dried Tabasco peppers. They have great flavor and make a killer salsa, so don't just think of them for hot sauce. They also dry easily and are delicious when crushed and used as hot pepper flakes and seasoning for all sorts of dishes. RECIPE INGREDIENTS: 2-6+ Tabasco PeppersAdd as many fresh or dried Tabasco peppers as desired, of course more equals more heat. Note: You can also use ANY fresh or dried...
Half Off Seeds - Save a bundle on pepper and vegetable seeds!We just added a ton more seeds to our HALF OFF SEEDS SALE! We have a ton of seed packets for under $2!! Save BIG on the best seeds now! Get a great deal on select seeds, many that you can plant now. Many of these are our top selllers that gardener's grow every year, so stock up and save while supplies last. Get 50% off Over 70 different seed varieties. No discount code needed, limited quantities, while supplies last! While supplies last, get our Banana Pepper Seeds for just $1.25...
Best Companion Plant for Peppers that you can plant all season!We have found that our favorite companion plant for peppers is the productive and soil-building bush bean! Bush beans are an excellent choice for companion plants for your peppers. They fix nitrogen in the soil which help feed heavy-feeding peppers and provide light side-shade to protect pepper fruits from sunburn. They also shade the soil to conserve moisture and keep roots cooler in the heat of the summer, which is critical here in the West! You can tuck some bean seeds in pots or in the ga...
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian)Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian) This delicious chili is the perfect meal in itself or used for smothering! Ingredients 1 white onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced4 potatoes, diced (optional)6 c. vegetable broth (or water)2 Cups diced New Mexico Green Chile, Hatch green chile or Pueblo Chile*1-2 cans or cups of cooked pinto beans, rinsed & drained (optional)1 tbsp. cumin1 tbsp. red chile powder1/8 tsp. black pepper~ 1/2 tsp. salt (to taste, more if not using stock) Instructions In a st...
Jalapeno Poppers RecipeJalapeno Popper Recipe 8-12 jalapeños (use as many as you like) 6 ounces cream cheese softened* 1 cup of Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded* 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic or garlic powder (optional) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic chives (optional) ¼ cup Panko bread crumbs (optional) 1 tablespoon butter (optional) Green onions (for topping, optional) Instructions Preheat the oven or grill to 400°F. Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise, and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds. Mix ...
How to Preserve Peppers: 7+ Ways!When you have a glut of peppers, you want to save your harvest to enjoy in the future months to come. Here are our favorite 7+ ways to preserve peppers now: Roast Chile Peppers: Roast or grill until charred, chill, peel & de-seed, use some now and freeze some for later! Great for making green chile stew, for topping pizza, dips, in burritos, eggs, served over mashed potatoes, you name it! Try some of our green chile recipes » Cowboy Candy, shown above, before brine was poured in. Pi...
Freezing Jalapeno PoppersKeep it simple and warm up your winters by freezing jalapeño poppers when you have an abundance of jalapeños from the garden. How to freeze jalapeno poppers: 1. To make freeze poppers, first prepare the jalapeños* by slicing in half, and using a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, fill them with cream cheese (you can add other ingredients like shredded cheddar, chopped olives, minced garlic, bacon bits, etc if desired). 2. Put them on a baking sheet and "flash freeze" them in a sing...
Best Peppers for Hot SauceWe've picked out our favorite peppers for hot sauce (and some of your favorites) that you can grow in your garden to make hot sauce! Find our favorite hot sauce recipes and make them your own with any of these hot peppers. You can use any hot pepper or combination of peppers to make hot sauce, so don't feel limited, experiment! The sky's the limit. You'll find that some you love some peppers even more than others, but it's fun to try them all. Hot sauce captures the essenc...
Do some peppers take longer to germinate?
How long does it take to germinate pepper seeds?Do some peppers take longer to germinate? Yes, some peppers take longer than others to germinate – super hot peppers such as the Chinense varieties usually take the longest, and, when stubborn, can sometimes take up to 4-6 weeks to germinate. Many faster growing peppers like Annuum varieties can germinate in 7-10 days. It's very important to BE PATIENT with pepper seeds, as they will surprise you and sometimes sprout long after you've gi...
When to Plant Pepper Seeds
When to Plant Pepper Seeds Many of our customers ask us "Is now a good time to start pepper seeds?" – and we always say it depends on where you are and what your seed starting setup is like. We typically recommend that pepper seeds be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last average frost date. Depending on where you live, the time to plant peppers and other warm-weather vegetables like tomatoes is usually late May or early June, but can be earlier for warmer regions. We don'...
Early Tomatoes: Varieties
Looking for early tomato varieties? Sandia Seed has several ultra early tomato plants that are sure to please any tomato-lover. Our fastest growing tomatoes are also some of the best tasting tomatoes, too, so make sure to grow a few of these early tomato varieties in your garden to enjoy a longer tomato harvest season. These tomatoes are also great to grow if you're starting seeds later than you wanted, tomato seeds sprout fast and grow into robust plants quickly, so these short season ...
How to Grow Bell Peppers
Wondering How to Grow Bell Peppers?Here are our top tips for Growing Bell Peppers: Bell peppers are relatively easy to grow, but here are a few tips so you can have the best success! First, plant pepper seeds at least 8-10 weeks before your area's last frost date. Plant seeds in pre-moistened well-draining seedling starter mix and bury the seeds about 1/4" deep. Use a seedling heat mat to speed up germination – this will help keep the seeds warm, ideally 80-90˚ F is optimal for fast...
Pepper Seeds
Pepper Seeds Sandia Seed carries over 100 peppers of the world that you can grow in your garden! Our seeds have very high germination rates and grow into a variety of peppers that are sure to please any pepper lover! We also specialize in New Mexican Chile seeds such as Hatch Chile seeds, Poblano seeds, and other New Mexican favorites.Want sweet, mild, hot or super hot pepper seeds?We got you covered on pepper seeds with every heat level, from no heat at all to wicked hot. Here is a list of o...
Guess how many seeds are in the jar for a chance to WIN!
Seed Jar Contest Results: There were 6,755 seeds in the jar! Congrats to E.C. who was the closest with a guess of 6,721 – he won a $25 Gift Card + a Seed Catalog! Thanks to all your posted guesses on Facebook and Instagram! ORIGINAL CONTEST: Guess how many seeds are in the jar above for a chance to WIN a $25 Gift Card + a Seed Catalog!Those who entered submited Guessesby commenting on our posts on Facebook or Instagramfor a chance to win the prize. We announced the winner on February 1st, ...
Spots on Pepper Leaves
Do you have spots on your pepper plant's leaves?Spots on peppers leaves could be from a few different things. Common ailments of peppers is called pepper leaf spot or bacterial spot. This ailment that creates spotted leaves on peppers occurs commonly in humid, wet weather. This purple bell pepper plant above has the common Bacterial leaf spot. Don't despair, you should still get plenty of peppers despite this issue! Bacterial leaf spot is a common ailment of peppers that is cause...
Hot Pepper Comic
"I'm not sure what the big deal is about Carolina Reapers... They don't have any heat."Hot Pepper Comic featuring the famous Carolina Reaper and a Bird Did you know birds can't feel the heat? In addition to spicing up hot sauce and salsas, some of our pepper seed customers grow our super hot peppers like the Carolina Reaper to dry and add to their seed mixes to discourage squirrels. Birds don't taste the heat but squirrels and other rodents do! Grow your own bird seed...
Seeds to Sow in August for a Fall Harvest
It's not too late to sow more seeds and enjoy more food from your garden this season. August is a great time to plant fall crops so that you can enjoy and preserve the abundance before winter arrives. Seeds to Sow in August for a bountiful Fall Harvest Bush Beans - Ready in just 50 days!, bush beans are the perfect pairing with tomatoes or peppers, you can easily tuck in these fast growing edible plants in your garden. Beans are great companion plants and they also boost the soil nut...
Vegetable Garden Hacks
Here are some vegetable garden hacks from fellow gardeners to try: I plant my peppers in pots as I'm in a short season climate, so I can move them to a warm place during late spring cool weather or early fall cool weather and frosts to extend the season. I also use a small garden bed hoop house with greenhouse film to cover them on cold nights below 50˚in spring and fall. Adding alfalfa pellets to my beds for slow release nitrogen to feed the beneficial bacteria in the soil not the plant...
Sharing Veggies
There is nothing better than growing your food than also sharing your homegrown produce! Share your extra garden harvests with neighbors, friends and family, or by trading produce in local online groups, setting up a free driveway stand, or donating fresh harvest to community pantries and food banks. When you grow your own food, you often have way more than you need, and it's so rewarding to share your bounty with others. Above: Herbs Share in the neighborhood: What a fun front-yard comm...
Ask five gardeners a question and you will get six different answers.😂😂
Ask five gardeners a question and you will get six different answers.😂 Ain't that the truth? Gardening is all about experiences, trials and errors... and above all, experimenting! After all, there are no gardening mistakes, only experiments! For example: Some people swear that topping their young peppers will result in more yields. But many people, especially those in short growing seasons, find that the opposite is true – topping peppers only delays their production. Find our advice on...
Tabasco Pepper Salsa Recipe
Sandia Seed's Tabasco Pepper Salsa Recipe Make this delicious salsa with fresh or dried Tabasco peppers. They have great flavor and make a killer salsa, so don't just think of them for hot sauce. They also dry easily and are delicious when crushed and used as hot pepper flakes and seasoning for all sorts of dishes. RECIPE INGREDIENTS: 2-6+ Tabasco PeppersAdd as many fresh or dried Tabasco peppers as desired, of course more equals more heat. Note: You can also use ANY fresh or dried...
Half Off Seeds - Save a bundle on pepper and vegetable seeds!
We just added a ton more seeds to our HALF OFF SEEDS SALE! We have a ton of seed packets for under $2!! Save BIG on the best seeds now! Get a great deal on select seeds, many that you can plant now. Many of these are our top selllers that gardener's grow every year, so stock up and save while supplies last. Get 50% off Over 70 different seed varieties. No discount code needed, limited quantities, while supplies last! While supplies last, get our Banana Pepper Seeds for just $1.25...
Best Companion Plant for Peppers that you can plant all season!
We have found that our favorite companion plant for peppers is the productive and soil-building bush bean! Bush beans are an excellent choice for companion plants for your peppers. They fix nitrogen in the soil which help feed heavy-feeding peppers and provide light side-shade to protect pepper fruits from sunburn. They also shade the soil to conserve moisture and keep roots cooler in the heat of the summer, which is critical here in the West! You can tuck some bean seeds in pots or in the ga...
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian)
Green Chili Recipe (Vegetarian) This delicious chili is the perfect meal in itself or used for smothering! Ingredients 1 white onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced4 potatoes, diced (optional)6 c. vegetable broth (or water)2 Cups diced New Mexico Green Chile, Hatch green chile or Pueblo Chile*1-2 cans or cups of cooked pinto beans, rinsed & drained (optional)1 tbsp. cumin1 tbsp. red chile powder1/8 tsp. black pepper~ 1/2 tsp. salt (to taste, more if not using stock) Instructions In a st...
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Jalapeno Popper Recipe 8-12 jalapeños (use as many as you like) 6 ounces cream cheese softened* 1 cup of Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded* 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic or garlic powder (optional) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic chives (optional) ¼ cup Panko bread crumbs (optional) 1 tablespoon butter (optional) Green onions (for topping, optional) Instructions Preheat the oven or grill to 400°F. Cut the jalapenos in half lengthwise, and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds. Mix ...
How to Preserve Peppers: 7+ Ways!
When you have a glut of peppers, you want to save your harvest to enjoy in the future months to come. Here are our favorite 7+ ways to preserve peppers now: Roast Chile Peppers: Roast or grill until charred, chill, peel & de-seed, use some now and freeze some for later! Great for making green chile stew, for topping pizza, dips, in burritos, eggs, served over mashed potatoes, you name it! Try some of our green chile recipes » Cowboy Candy, shown above, before brine was poured in. Pi...
Freezing Jalapeno Poppers
Keep it simple and warm up your winters by freezing jalapeño poppers when you have an abundance of jalapeños from the garden. How to freeze jalapeno poppers: 1. To make freeze poppers, first prepare the jalapeños* by slicing in half, and using a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, fill them with cream cheese (you can add other ingredients like shredded cheddar, chopped olives, minced garlic, bacon bits, etc if desired). 2. Put them on a baking sheet and "flash freeze" them in a sing...
Best Peppers for Hot Sauce
We've picked out our favorite peppers for hot sauce (and some of your favorites) that you can grow in your garden to make hot sauce! Find our favorite hot sauce recipes and make them your own with any of these hot peppers. You can use any hot pepper or combination of peppers to make hot sauce, so don't feel limited, experiment! The sky's the limit. You'll find that some you love some peppers even more than others, but it's fun to try them all. Hot sauce captures the essenc...
