Organic Control for Tomato Hornworms on PeppersTomato Hornworms are really big green caterpillars that can devastate your pepper garden. Giant brown moths lay pearl-like eggs on your pepper leaves, from which the monsters will hatch and start to eat voraciously. They can decimate all the leaves on a plant overnight. The best organic control might be picking the caterpillars off the plants, but by then it could be too late to save your plants. Also, touching and pulling them off is gross, but depending on how mad you are, you won’t mind! ...
Pepper Plant CompanionsWondering what to plant with your chile peppers to help them thrive? Flowers, chives, carrots, radishes, squash, basil, parsley, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, cucumbers, eggplant, and onions all do well when grown in close proximity to peppers. But don't plant them too close that they will shade your pepper plants: Squash and cucumbers, for example, need ample space so we plant them at least 3-4' away from our pepper patch. You can also use trellises for your cucumbers to grow th...
Is it ok to reuse potting soil? Here are our Tips for reusing potting soil in pots for growing peppers.Recent customer question:“HELP! I garden in containers and have a nice amount of soil left from growing peppers this past year. I would like to revitalize the soil to use next year for my peppers and tomatoes. I plan on adding new soil too, but what nutrients would you suggest adding?” Answer: Yes, you can reuse potting soil for growing peppers, but it must be amended to replenish nutrients and structure. To replenish the soil, it's good to mix in some slow-release organic fertilizers, wo...
Growing Peppers in ColoradoThere are many different growing zones in Colorado, and you can grow peppers in any areas that you can grow tomatoes and other veggies! For Colorado gardeners, starting peppers indoors is a must with short season gardening, we recommend starting your pepper seeds at least 6-8 weeks before mid-to-late May when you will transplant them into the garden. Use a seedling heat mat to keep the pepper seeds warm during germination, they like to germinate around 80˚F! Choose short season peppers for...
What Seeds to Plant in June - Companion Plants!Wondering what seeds you should plant in June? June is a great time to plant companion plants with your peppers, tomatoes and other veggies. There is a great range of seeds to choose from that you can plant in June including cilantro, squash, cucumbers, nasturtium, lettuce, basil, and many more. Read about them below... Cilantro - great for salsas, and the flowers attract lots of beneficial insects and produce more seeds (also known as Coriander) Cherry Belle Radish are super fast gro...
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...
Growing Tomatoes in PotsYes, you can grow tomatoes in pots! But, we do recommend larger pots – half whiskey barrels or pots of that size are best for most regular tomatoes. What type of tomatoes do well in pots? While you can pretty much grow any tomato in a large pot (don't forget to have trellises or obelisks for support), there are also tomato varieties that were bred to be smaller in plant size and do well in pots. You can even grow them with flowers, herbs and/or peppers to have a colorful veggie pot! W...
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 ...
Squash Wilting?Why does my squash wilt? If your zucchini, pumpkin, squash or cucumber plants are wilting, it could be a few things: 1. Wilting squash during the Heat of the Day: The most common reason that pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini and squash leaves wilt is that the cucurbita family has a low root-to-shoot ratio, meaning that they have a shallow root system that supports a very large mass of above ground vegetation. Because of this, during the dry heat of the sunniest part of the day, squash leaves...
August Gardening Tips1. Harvest your Peppers (and other veggies)!Simply harvesting your peppers and other summer vegetables like tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and eggplant can help them continue to produce more fruits over time. Harvesting will encourage the plant to produce more blooms. Does picking peppers make more grow? Yes, the more peppers you pick, the more peppers will continue growing on your plant! Keep harvesting peppers as soon as they are ripe and firm so you can grow more! Read more »2. How to know wh...
Why are mushrooms growing in my vegetable garden?Why are there mushrooms growing in my pepper plant's soil? Do you have mushrooms growing in your pepper plant container or in the vegetable garden? If mushrooms are growing in your pots or in your garden, don't worry! They are actually a sign of good soil health, and it is perfectly normal. Mushrooms growing in your vegetable garden is even considered a sign of good luck in some areas of the world! Fungi are masters of the soil, and they can benefit your vegetable plants, it is a sign...
Sustainable Gardening - Our Top 12 Tips!Happy Earth Day Everyday! Gardening is a great way to be more sustainable. Growing your own food, herbs, and flowers for pollinators and wildlife is a great way to make a difference! Here are our top 12 Tips for Sustainable Gardening: 1. Compost: Recycling your food scraps, paper and yard debris is a great way to reuse and recycle all of that good stuff to turn it into what we call "Gardener's Gold." Compost helps feed your plants with natural nutrients all season long, and i...
Best Seed Catalog for 2020!If you're looking for the Best Seed Catalogs for 2020, make sure to check out Sandia Seed's new Seed Catalog, packed with over 100 different types of pepper seeds from around the world, as well as 44 tomato seeds. Many of our seeds are Organic, and all of them are non-GMO of course! Support our small, woman-owned seed company and spread the love of peppers in your neck of the woods. We specialize in Hatch Chile seeds, which are green chiles grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico. We...
Vegetarian Green Chili StewMake your own homegrown Vegetarian Green Chili Stew in the fall and winter months! This recipe is completely vegan & vegetarian for those of you who want a hearty healthy vegan meal. VEGETARIAN GREEN CHILE STEW RECIPE: Ingredients: 1½ tbsp olive oil 1-2 cups roasted homegrown green chiles, peeled, deseeded, and diced Mushrooms (optional) 3-5 Potatoes, diced (optional, but we love potatoes in this!) 1 onion, diced 2-4 Garlic Cloves, chopped finely 2 tsp salt 1½ tsp cumin 1½ tsp Mexican ...
New Pepper SeedsSandia Seed is proud to expand our Peppers of the World seed collection this year to include several new pepper seeds this year! NEW PEPPERS Grow something new this year! In 2025 we have a lot of new peppers to grow in your garden! Gypsy Sweet PepperA fast growing sweet pepper with fantastic sweet flavor that is never bitter! These pepper plants produce a large amount of peppers all season. Enjoy them early when they are yellow-green stage or wait until they fully ripen to or...
Garden MemesCheck out our Garden Memes for those who love gardening! What did you do this weekend? Plant people: Gardened. August 8th is National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day! Got zukes? In a Relationship with Seed Catalogs “Anyone who thinks that gardening season begins in the spring & ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year. Gardening season begins in January with the dream.” While the garden sleeps,the gardener dreams. My Favorite Sport is Garden...
How to Fertilize Hatch Chile PlantsAfter transplanting chile plants outside, fertilize every 2 weeks with a dilute Fox Farm 'Grow Big' liquid fertilizer. It is 6-4-4 and plants need to grow big and tall before blooming. The bigger the plant means the more fruit it will be able to produce throughout the season. (Chiles are a continuous crop and produce fruit all season.) When the chile plants first begin to flower, fertilize with dilute Fox Farm 'Tiger Bloom' 2-8-4. The increased phosphorus promotes flowering an...
Plants that Attract Beneficial InsectsLacewing Eggs on a Tomato Plant “Every harmful insect has a mortal enemy. Cultivate that enemy and he will do your work for you.” ~ Eleanor PerenyiPlants that Attract Beneficial InsectsWe never use pesticides in our garden – instead, we enlist the help of our friends, the beneficial insects – who help us control pests. Planting lots of flowers and herbs to attract pest-controlling insects is one of the most fascinating ideas that is making a comeback amongst gardeners. If you plant lots of ...
Yellow Leaves on Pepper PlantsHow to Fix Yellow Leaves on Pepper Plants: If you start peppers from seed, you probably have encountered peppers with yellow leaves at some point. We find that yellowing leaves is most often caused by overwatering. Peppers hate wet feet, and will start to yellow if their roots are too wet all the time. Yellowing leaves could also be an indication that the plants could also need nutrients. It's important to use quality well-draining potting soil mix if grown in containers. If you are...
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!
Organic Control for Tomato Hornworms on Peppers
Tomato Hornworms are really big green caterpillars that can devastate your pepper garden. Giant brown moths lay pearl-like eggs on your pepper leaves, from which the monsters will hatch and start to eat voraciously. They can decimate all the leaves on a plant overnight. The best organic control might be picking the caterpillars off the plants, but by then it could be too late to save your plants. Also, touching and pulling them off is gross, but depending on how mad you are, you won’t mind! ...
Pepper Plant Companions
Wondering what to plant with your chile peppers to help them thrive? Flowers, chives, carrots, radishes, squash, basil, parsley, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, cucumbers, eggplant, and onions all do well when grown in close proximity to peppers. But don't plant them too close that they will shade your pepper plants: Squash and cucumbers, for example, need ample space so we plant them at least 3-4' away from our pepper patch. You can also use trellises for your cucumbers to grow th...
Is it ok to reuse potting soil? Here are our Tips for reusing potting soil in pots for growing peppers.
Recent customer question:“HELP! I garden in containers and have a nice amount of soil left from growing peppers this past year. I would like to revitalize the soil to use next year for my peppers and tomatoes. I plan on adding new soil too, but what nutrients would you suggest adding?” Answer: Yes, you can reuse potting soil for growing peppers, but it must be amended to replenish nutrients and structure. To replenish the soil, it's good to mix in some slow-release organic fertilizers, wo...
Growing Peppers in Colorado
There are many different growing zones in Colorado, and you can grow peppers in any areas that you can grow tomatoes and other veggies! For Colorado gardeners, starting peppers indoors is a must with short season gardening, we recommend starting your pepper seeds at least 6-8 weeks before mid-to-late May when you will transplant them into the garden. Use a seedling heat mat to keep the pepper seeds warm during germination, they like to germinate around 80˚F! Choose short season peppers for...
What Seeds to Plant in June - Companion Plants!
Wondering what seeds you should plant in June? June is a great time to plant companion plants with your peppers, tomatoes and other veggies. There is a great range of seeds to choose from that you can plant in June including cilantro, squash, cucumbers, nasturtium, lettuce, basil, and many more. Read about them below... Cilantro - great for salsas, and the flowers attract lots of beneficial insects and produce more seeds (also known as Coriander) Cherry Belle Radish are super fast gro...
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...
Growing Tomatoes in Pots
Yes, you can grow tomatoes in pots! But, we do recommend larger pots – half whiskey barrels or pots of that size are best for most regular tomatoes. What type of tomatoes do well in pots? While you can pretty much grow any tomato in a large pot (don't forget to have trellises or obelisks for support), there are also tomato varieties that were bred to be smaller in plant size and do well in pots. You can even grow them with flowers, herbs and/or peppers to have a colorful veggie pot! W...
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 ...
Squash Wilting?
Why does my squash wilt? If your zucchini, pumpkin, squash or cucumber plants are wilting, it could be a few things: 1. Wilting squash during the Heat of the Day: The most common reason that pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini and squash leaves wilt is that the cucurbita family has a low root-to-shoot ratio, meaning that they have a shallow root system that supports a very large mass of above ground vegetation. Because of this, during the dry heat of the sunniest part of the day, squash leaves...
August Gardening Tips
1. Harvest your Peppers (and other veggies)!Simply harvesting your peppers and other summer vegetables like tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and eggplant can help them continue to produce more fruits over time. Harvesting will encourage the plant to produce more blooms. Does picking peppers make more grow? Yes, the more peppers you pick, the more peppers will continue growing on your plant! Keep harvesting peppers as soon as they are ripe and firm so you can grow more! Read more »2. How to know wh...
Why are mushrooms growing in my vegetable garden?
Why are there mushrooms growing in my pepper plant's soil? Do you have mushrooms growing in your pepper plant container or in the vegetable garden? If mushrooms are growing in your pots or in your garden, don't worry! They are actually a sign of good soil health, and it is perfectly normal. Mushrooms growing in your vegetable garden is even considered a sign of good luck in some areas of the world! Fungi are masters of the soil, and they can benefit your vegetable plants, it is a sign...
Sustainable Gardening - Our Top 12 Tips!
Happy Earth Day Everyday! Gardening is a great way to be more sustainable. Growing your own food, herbs, and flowers for pollinators and wildlife is a great way to make a difference! Here are our top 12 Tips for Sustainable Gardening: 1. Compost: Recycling your food scraps, paper and yard debris is a great way to reuse and recycle all of that good stuff to turn it into what we call "Gardener's Gold." Compost helps feed your plants with natural nutrients all season long, and i...
Best Seed Catalog for 2020!
If you're looking for the Best Seed Catalogs for 2020, make sure to check out Sandia Seed's new Seed Catalog, packed with over 100 different types of pepper seeds from around the world, as well as 44 tomato seeds. Many of our seeds are Organic, and all of them are non-GMO of course! Support our small, woman-owned seed company and spread the love of peppers in your neck of the woods. We specialize in Hatch Chile seeds, which are green chiles grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico. We...
Vegetarian Green Chili Stew
Make your own homegrown Vegetarian Green Chili Stew in the fall and winter months! This recipe is completely vegan & vegetarian for those of you who want a hearty healthy vegan meal. VEGETARIAN GREEN CHILE STEW RECIPE: Ingredients: 1½ tbsp olive oil 1-2 cups roasted homegrown green chiles, peeled, deseeded, and diced Mushrooms (optional) 3-5 Potatoes, diced (optional, but we love potatoes in this!) 1 onion, diced 2-4 Garlic Cloves, chopped finely 2 tsp salt 1½ tsp cumin 1½ tsp Mexican ...
New Pepper Seeds
Sandia Seed is proud to expand our Peppers of the World seed collection this year to include several new pepper seeds this year! NEW PEPPERS Grow something new this year! In 2025 we have a lot of new peppers to grow in your garden! Gypsy Sweet PepperA fast growing sweet pepper with fantastic sweet flavor that is never bitter! These pepper plants produce a large amount of peppers all season. Enjoy them early when they are yellow-green stage or wait until they fully ripen to or...
Garden Memes
Check out our Garden Memes for those who love gardening! What did you do this weekend? Plant people: Gardened. August 8th is National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day! Got zukes? In a Relationship with Seed Catalogs “Anyone who thinks that gardening season begins in the spring & ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year. Gardening season begins in January with the dream.” While the garden sleeps,the gardener dreams. My Favorite Sport is Garden...
How to Fertilize Hatch Chile Plants
After transplanting chile plants outside, fertilize every 2 weeks with a dilute Fox Farm 'Grow Big' liquid fertilizer. It is 6-4-4 and plants need to grow big and tall before blooming. The bigger the plant means the more fruit it will be able to produce throughout the season. (Chiles are a continuous crop and produce fruit all season.) When the chile plants first begin to flower, fertilize with dilute Fox Farm 'Tiger Bloom' 2-8-4. The increased phosphorus promotes flowering an...
Plants that Attract Beneficial Insects
Lacewing Eggs on a Tomato Plant “Every harmful insect has a mortal enemy. Cultivate that enemy and he will do your work for you.” ~ Eleanor PerenyiPlants that Attract Beneficial InsectsWe never use pesticides in our garden – instead, we enlist the help of our friends, the beneficial insects – who help us control pests. Planting lots of flowers and herbs to attract pest-controlling insects is one of the most fascinating ideas that is making a comeback amongst gardeners. If you plant lots of ...
Yellow Leaves on Pepper Plants
How to Fix Yellow Leaves on Pepper Plants: If you start peppers from seed, you probably have encountered peppers with yellow leaves at some point. We find that yellowing leaves is most often caused by overwatering. Peppers hate wet feet, and will start to yellow if their roots are too wet all the time. Yellowing leaves could also be an indication that the plants could also need nutrients. It's important to use quality well-draining potting soil mix if grown in containers. If you are...
