The best way to Transfer Plants from under Grow Lights to OutdoorsIs it difficult to transfer plants from under grow lights to outdoors? Nope! You just want to gradually expose any seedlings you start to the sun and outdoor conditions. To do this, first set them in dappled shade for a few hours (or put them outside on an overcast day), and then incrementally increase the amount of sun they receive for a period of several days. Once they are acclimated, you can transplant them into the garden or containers. Learn more about hardening off seedlings »
Fruity Hot PeppersHere's a question from one of our seed customers asking aboutfruity hot peppers:"I enjoy the earthy flavor of jalapeños on occasions. They’re perfect with tacos but for sauces I prefer habaneros or something more fruity. Can you recommend some of your peppers that have a fruity flavor?" Answer: There are many types of hot peppers. For hot peppers with fruity flavors, Habaneros are always a good bet – check out our Red Caribbean Habanero or try growing our Orange Habanero with ...
Seed Discount CodeLooking for Seed Discount Codes? Sandia Seed offers discounts and discount codes on seeds seasonally! If you're on a budget, make sure to check out our 50% off Seeds collection which has some of our customer favorites discounted at a great price. We change these 50% off seed discounts regularly depending on what we have overstock of, so bookmark this page and be sure to check back seasonally as we rotate out the deals on our customer favorite seeds. Bonus: you don't have to have ...
What type of peppers does Mezzetta use? Cascabellas!What type of peppers does Mezzetta use? Mezzetta™ Hot Chili Peppers (those jars of spicy yellow pickled peppers) are made from Cascabella peppers. The hot and delicious yellow peppers that they put into jars of Mezzetta Hot Chili Peppers are grown in Northern California, but did you know that you can grow them in your own backyard? They're easy to start from Cascabella seeds! If you're addicted to the deliciously spicy Mezzetta Hot Chili Peppers, then make sure to grow some Cascabe...
Pepper SeedsLooking for Pepper Seeds? Sandia Seed offers a great selection of pepper seeds, from sweet pepper seeds to hot pepper seeds. We have bell pepper seeds, as well as cayenne pepper seeds and poblano pepper seeds.Sandia Seed is part of a sustainable movement to change the way the world buys seeds. We offer heirloom & open-pollinated seeds that are not readily available from large seed companies. Today’s gardeners can grow them and keep their unique genetic makeup viable for future generations...
Chiltepin SeedsMeet the Chiltepin / Tepin - The ancient Chiltepin is called the “mother of all peppers,” and is thought to be the oldest of all Capsicum annum species. The Chiltepin pepper is a native plant in Arizona, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Central and South America. You can find this plant growing wild in Texas, Arizona and Mexico. Many birds consume the Tepin pepper and disperse the seeds into the wild, but do not feel the ‘heat’ of the pepper like mammals, even though these are super Hot with Sc...
Seed Discounts: 50% off Seeds50% off Seeds + Free Shipping on US Orders over $20 at SandiaSeed.com Get some great of the best deals on seeds! We have 50% off seed discounts on some of our customer favorite including the Hatch Doublecross Green Chile or the delicious Mulato Isleño Poblano chile. We change out our 50% Off Seed Discount Collection often, so bookmark the page and visit often to get the best deals on our quality seeds. Sandia Seed stands behind our seeds! Our seeds are sourced from quality growers an...
Seeds with Free ShippingWe're still offering FREE Shipping on U.S. orders over $30! Sandia Seed is part of a sustainable movement to change the way the world buys seeds. We offer hundreds of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties that are not readily available from large seed companies. When growing open-pollinated peppers and tomatoes, keep the seeds from your favorites to grow again next year. Seeds are smart and will continue to adapt to your environment over the seasons. Check out all of our Seeds » ...
When should I start my Hatch chile seeds for summer if I live inland near San Diego?Customer Question: When should I start my hatch chile seeds for summer if I live inland near San Diego?Answer:The San Diego Master Gardeners recommend to start peppers like Hatch chiles anytime between April-July, as peppers grow better in warm weather rather than during cool winters. But really, as long as the pepper plants are not out in a frost, you can start anytime – you can start them indoors too in the winter to get more robust plants to plant outside come warmer spring weather. As lo...
Happy Holidays! Sandia Seed is taking a Holiday Break 12/16-12/25Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season! Sandia Seed is taking a Holiday Break from Dec 16th-24th so order now to get seeds shipped before Christmas! You can still place orders from 12/16-12/24 but we won't be shipping during that time. Thanks for supporting our small seed company!
Why are my pepper plants so small?We have this question quite often: Why are my pepper plants so small? There is a number of reasons that your peppers may not be growing larger. TOO BRIGHT LED LIGHTS Recently, we had an experience (see the sad & small pepper plants above) where we had placed a super bright 100W Sansi Floodlight above our transplanted seedlings about 8" away. Sadly, it was TOO bright – if we had it farther away, such as a couple feet, the seedlings may have been fine. But, since they were fairly clo...
Harvest vegetables at the right timeKnowing when to harvest vegetables will help you get the best quality vegetables from your garden. Many gardeners allow produce to pass their prime when vegetables are less tender and more fibrous. Below is a guideline to help you determine the best time to harvest vegetables. Pepper and tomatoes are listed first with the Get Real Vegetables information below that. Peppers (bell and chile) can be harvested in three stages. Mature green: Pepper is firm and fully sized. The fruit color is...
Guajillo Chile - Which kind are used for Mole?Here's a question we recently had about Guajillo chile: Question about the guajillo pepper seeds: The site says these are one of the most common dried peppers in Mexico, but I was reading the Peppers of America book by Maricel Presilla from one of your earlier posts and she refers to the guajillo as the dried form of the mirasol chile. I noticed your mirasol pepper description doesn't mention anything about this. What are y'all's thoughts on this nomenclature discrepancy? Two ...
Padron Pepper Seeds ReviewWe were happy to get this beautiful shot of Padrón peppers from one of our happy seed customers, here's what Sam had to say: Greetings to the folks at the Sandia Seed Company!I recently purchased a packet of your padrón seeds. I also happened to get my San Diego garden started early this year as well. As a result I have already had two batches of blackened padróns with coarse sea salt as appetizers for meals. You are receiving a photo of the 2nd batch; ... We all know the first ones di...
Best Salt Substitute: Hot Peppers!Watching your salt intake? One of our favorite ways to spice up a dish without salt is none other than hot peppers! Any spicy peppers are a great way to get your tastebuds excited about anything you eat. We love growing hot peppers and then drying them and crushing into hot pepper flakes or powder so that we can sprinkle flavor on anything including sandwiches, soups, tacos, burritos, wraps, burgers, pizza, you name it!! Clean Salt-Substitute: The great thing about hot pepper flakes is that ...
How to Make Lettuce Last LongerCRISPY LETTUCE TIPThe secret to crispy lettuce from your garden:If you harvest lettuce from your garden, you may wonder how to make lettuce last longer. Well, here’s the trick to keep it crispy in your fridge for days! No more wilted lettuce.How to preserve lettuce from the garden: Immediately after picking, soak your freshly picked greens in cold water for 20-30 minutes to "crisp" them up for storing longer in the fridge. This will prevent wilting of your lettuces and other greens...
Summer Succotash with Peaches & Cream CornSuccotash is a celebration of all the vibrant vegetables coming into season. It is an American dish created where the Three Sisters of corn, beans, and squash are native. Although succotash is mainly composed of vegetables, it is not unusual for bacon to be added for flavor. Succotash knows no limits when it comes to substitutions. The cherry tomatoes have a nice fresh flavor, but when ripe red tomatoes are at their peak, dice and add them for a rich flavor. Early season jalapeños can be us...
How deep should I plant my seeds?The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. For a pepper seed that would be about 1/4 to 3/8” deep. A common mistake is to plant them too deep. This inhibits their growth, not only because they may not germinate at all, but also because their stems may not be designed to push through the heavy pile of soil above them. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Read the seed packet carefully, for detailed information about how deep to pla...
How much should I water my seeds?For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. To conserve moisture, you can cover the container with clear plastic until seeds germinate. Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering. Unlike established plants, seedlings do not have an extensive root system they will die if soil dries out. At the same time, it is important not to overwater and let seedlings sit in water. Learning how to water seedlings is vital for success. Related Topic: Why are my pepper pla...
Best Salsa Macha RecipeSALSA MACHA RECIPE Salsa Macha is a delicious salsa/sauce originating from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It's an amazing sauce and won't last long! Ingredients 2 large mulato chile peppers* 2 large guajillo chile peppers* 5-6 chile de arbol peppers* 1/4 cup peanuts 4-6+ garlic cloves chopped 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 2 cups olive oil 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar Salt to taste I use 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 tablespoon brown sugar Instructio...
So, as a life long BOC fan and an avid gardener who loves the quality of seeds I’ve always received from Sandia Seeds. I just had to have this shirt. It rocks! I ordered a couple more for some fellow BOC fans as well. Great quality and the graphic is outstanding!
I'm going to grow these every year, they are HOT!! They make great poppers and salsa. Very productive, easy to grow, quick germination and fast growing plants. Thank you for the stellar seeds.
I planted several cultivars from wholesale seed. These were prolific. See all that RED (and green)?!? Looking forward to harvesting in a few days. Thank You Sandia Seed!
I pretty much use Sandia seeds exclusively! A few years ago I just happened to order your Jalapeño M. To me it's the perfect Jalapeño! Really nice size! Perfect heat for what we like! Wonderful flavor with a meatyness that's perfect for many different uses! I make my own Sriracha so I wait for them to turn red. They're one of my base peppers for my sauce! I praise them to all my personal friends and to members of groups that I belong to!
Serrano Hidalgo Seeds fromSandia Seed produce even in the HOT drought of central Illinois this year! I love adding a little Mexican kick to my salsa but also tossing these on the grill! They have great flavor and produce all summer long!
I had looked high & low, and searched the web with many word combinations ‘looking’ specifically for my favorite chili, the Dynamite xx Hot… so I could grow my own. The peppers were sold in Colorado at select places during roasting season, but you couldn’t buy seeds for them… anywhere!
Finally, as luck and persistence would have it, I discovered Sandia Seed Company.
Thank you Sandia! I planted them and had a great crop this year. I plan on growing them every year as well as trying some of their other seeds,
There's just something fun about growing a jalapeno that is light enough in color that some people think it's a banana pepper. LOL! I picked these just for color variety, and I'm very pleased that my plants have been loaded with them all season! We donated about 50 lbs of mixed peppers this year from our garden and I still had enough to freeze some and can more jars of recipes than we'll probably be able to use before next season. All my peppers were from Sandia Seed Company. I've never had such great pepper production before using these seeds!!
This spinach germinated well, and produced way more spinach than I'd initially expected. It grew really well, was slow to bolt in the summer, and has a really nice mild flavor for salads or steamed.
This was my first time growing these and I will definitely be growing them from now on. Great germination and very sturdy plants that have withstood some really high winds. Huge long peppers that are excellent green or red, very easy to peel skin.
Growing these in Florida, (Recent transplant of NM).
Lovely peppers. Took a couple weeks is all and wow! I have several budding; 2 large enough to nickname. They're still in their infancy, but I can tell they are going to be great! Love the seeds!
The best way to Transfer Plants from under Grow Lights to Outdoors
Is it difficult to transfer plants from under grow lights to outdoors? Nope! You just want to gradually expose any seedlings you start to the sun and outdoor conditions. To do this, first set them in dappled shade for a few hours (or put them outside on an overcast day), and then incrementally increase the amount of sun they receive for a period of several days. Once they are acclimated, you can transplant them into the garden or containers. Learn more about hardening off seedlings »
Fruity Hot Peppers
Here's a question from one of our seed customers asking aboutfruity hot peppers:"I enjoy the earthy flavor of jalapeños on occasions. They’re perfect with tacos but for sauces I prefer habaneros or something more fruity. Can you recommend some of your peppers that have a fruity flavor?" Answer: There are many types of hot peppers. For hot peppers with fruity flavors, Habaneros are always a good bet – check out our Red Caribbean Habanero or try growing our Orange Habanero with ...
Seed Discount Code
Looking for Seed Discount Codes? Sandia Seed offers discounts and discount codes on seeds seasonally! If you're on a budget, make sure to check out our 50% off Seeds collection which has some of our customer favorites discounted at a great price. We change these 50% off seed discounts regularly depending on what we have overstock of, so bookmark this page and be sure to check back seasonally as we rotate out the deals on our customer favorite seeds. Bonus: you don't have to have ...
What type of peppers does Mezzetta use? Cascabellas!
What type of peppers does Mezzetta use? Mezzetta™ Hot Chili Peppers (those jars of spicy yellow pickled peppers) are made from Cascabella peppers. The hot and delicious yellow peppers that they put into jars of Mezzetta Hot Chili Peppers are grown in Northern California, but did you know that you can grow them in your own backyard? They're easy to start from Cascabella seeds! If you're addicted to the deliciously spicy Mezzetta Hot Chili Peppers, then make sure to grow some Cascabe...
Pepper Seeds
Looking for Pepper Seeds? Sandia Seed offers a great selection of pepper seeds, from sweet pepper seeds to hot pepper seeds. We have bell pepper seeds, as well as cayenne pepper seeds and poblano pepper seeds.Sandia Seed is part of a sustainable movement to change the way the world buys seeds. We offer heirloom & open-pollinated seeds that are not readily available from large seed companies. Today’s gardeners can grow them and keep their unique genetic makeup viable for future generations...
Chiltepin Seeds
Meet the Chiltepin / Tepin - The ancient Chiltepin is called the “mother of all peppers,” and is thought to be the oldest of all Capsicum annum species. The Chiltepin pepper is a native plant in Arizona, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Central and South America. You can find this plant growing wild in Texas, Arizona and Mexico. Many birds consume the Tepin pepper and disperse the seeds into the wild, but do not feel the ‘heat’ of the pepper like mammals, even though these are super Hot with Sc...
Seed Discounts: 50% off Seeds
50% off Seeds + Free Shipping on US Orders over $20 at SandiaSeed.com Get some great of the best deals on seeds! We have 50% off seed discounts on some of our customer favorite including the Hatch Doublecross Green Chile or the delicious Mulato Isleño Poblano chile. We change out our 50% Off Seed Discount Collection often, so bookmark the page and visit often to get the best deals on our quality seeds. Sandia Seed stands behind our seeds! Our seeds are sourced from quality growers an...
Seeds with Free Shipping
We're still offering FREE Shipping on U.S. orders over $30! Sandia Seed is part of a sustainable movement to change the way the world buys seeds. We offer hundreds of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties that are not readily available from large seed companies. When growing open-pollinated peppers and tomatoes, keep the seeds from your favorites to grow again next year. Seeds are smart and will continue to adapt to your environment over the seasons. Check out all of our Seeds » ...
When should I start my Hatch chile seeds for summer if I live inland near San Diego?
Customer Question: When should I start my hatch chile seeds for summer if I live inland near San Diego?Answer:The San Diego Master Gardeners recommend to start peppers like Hatch chiles anytime between April-July, as peppers grow better in warm weather rather than during cool winters. But really, as long as the pepper plants are not out in a frost, you can start anytime – you can start them indoors too in the winter to get more robust plants to plant outside come warmer spring weather. As lo...
Happy Holidays! Sandia Seed is taking a Holiday Break 12/16-12/25
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season! Sandia Seed is taking a Holiday Break from Dec 16th-24th so order now to get seeds shipped before Christmas! You can still place orders from 12/16-12/24 but we won't be shipping during that time. Thanks for supporting our small seed company!
Why are my pepper plants so small?
We have this question quite often: Why are my pepper plants so small? There is a number of reasons that your peppers may not be growing larger. TOO BRIGHT LED LIGHTS Recently, we had an experience (see the sad & small pepper plants above) where we had placed a super bright 100W Sansi Floodlight above our transplanted seedlings about 8" away. Sadly, it was TOO bright – if we had it farther away, such as a couple feet, the seedlings may have been fine. But, since they were fairly clo...
Harvest vegetables at the right time
Knowing when to harvest vegetables will help you get the best quality vegetables from your garden. Many gardeners allow produce to pass their prime when vegetables are less tender and more fibrous. Below is a guideline to help you determine the best time to harvest vegetables. Pepper and tomatoes are listed first with the Get Real Vegetables information below that. Peppers (bell and chile) can be harvested in three stages. Mature green: Pepper is firm and fully sized. The fruit color is...
Guajillo Chile - Which kind are used for Mole?
Here's a question we recently had about Guajillo chile: Question about the guajillo pepper seeds: The site says these are one of the most common dried peppers in Mexico, but I was reading the Peppers of America book by Maricel Presilla from one of your earlier posts and she refers to the guajillo as the dried form of the mirasol chile. I noticed your mirasol pepper description doesn't mention anything about this. What are y'all's thoughts on this nomenclature discrepancy? Two ...
Padron Pepper Seeds Review
We were happy to get this beautiful shot of Padrón peppers from one of our happy seed customers, here's what Sam had to say: Greetings to the folks at the Sandia Seed Company!I recently purchased a packet of your padrón seeds. I also happened to get my San Diego garden started early this year as well. As a result I have already had two batches of blackened padróns with coarse sea salt as appetizers for meals. You are receiving a photo of the 2nd batch; ... We all know the first ones di...
Best Salt Substitute: Hot Peppers!
Watching your salt intake? One of our favorite ways to spice up a dish without salt is none other than hot peppers! Any spicy peppers are a great way to get your tastebuds excited about anything you eat. We love growing hot peppers and then drying them and crushing into hot pepper flakes or powder so that we can sprinkle flavor on anything including sandwiches, soups, tacos, burritos, wraps, burgers, pizza, you name it!! Clean Salt-Substitute: The great thing about hot pepper flakes is that ...
How to Make Lettuce Last Longer
CRISPY LETTUCE TIPThe secret to crispy lettuce from your garden:If you harvest lettuce from your garden, you may wonder how to make lettuce last longer. Well, here’s the trick to keep it crispy in your fridge for days! No more wilted lettuce.How to preserve lettuce from the garden: Immediately after picking, soak your freshly picked greens in cold water for 20-30 minutes to "crisp" them up for storing longer in the fridge. This will prevent wilting of your lettuces and other greens...
Summer Succotash with Peaches & Cream Corn
Succotash is a celebration of all the vibrant vegetables coming into season. It is an American dish created where the Three Sisters of corn, beans, and squash are native. Although succotash is mainly composed of vegetables, it is not unusual for bacon to be added for flavor. Succotash knows no limits when it comes to substitutions. The cherry tomatoes have a nice fresh flavor, but when ripe red tomatoes are at their peak, dice and add them for a rich flavor. Early season jalapeños can be us...
How deep should I plant my seeds?
The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. For a pepper seed that would be about 1/4 to 3/8” deep. A common mistake is to plant them too deep. This inhibits their growth, not only because they may not germinate at all, but also because their stems may not be designed to push through the heavy pile of soil above them. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Read the seed packet carefully, for detailed information about how deep to pla...
How much should I water my seeds?
For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. To conserve moisture, you can cover the container with clear plastic until seeds germinate. Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering. Unlike established plants, seedlings do not have an extensive root system they will die if soil dries out. At the same time, it is important not to overwater and let seedlings sit in water. Learning how to water seedlings is vital for success. Related Topic: Why are my pepper pla...
Best Salsa Macha Recipe
SALSA MACHA RECIPE Salsa Macha is a delicious salsa/sauce originating from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It's an amazing sauce and won't last long! Ingredients 2 large mulato chile peppers* 2 large guajillo chile peppers* 5-6 chile de arbol peppers* 1/4 cup peanuts 4-6+ garlic cloves chopped 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 2 cups olive oil 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar Salt to taste I use 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 tablespoon brown sugar Instructio...
