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...
New Mexico Chile SubstituteSome good New Mexico Chile substitutes include Anaheim Chile or Guajillo Chile, Chile de Arbol, which are related to New Mexico Chiles (in the same Capsicum annuum species) and can provide great flavor to your chile dishes. The Anaheim Chile – also known as California chile or Magdalena, is a medium-sized mild chile used in Southwestern cuisines – is actually the granddaddy of all the current New Mexico green chile pod types! It was originally known as New Mexico No. 9, developed by Dr. Fabi...
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...
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...
Problems growing carrots?We used to have trouble growing carrots, specifically with sowing carrot seeds, likely because we did not keep them consistently moist during their germination period. Carrot seeds not germinating? Carrot seeds can be planted directly into the garden soil and are easy to grow. But there is a secret to growing carrots and getting the seeds to germinate. If you have problems with carrots in your garden (or at least starting the seeds), use the Carrot Board Trick: For best results, sow car...
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 ...
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...
Roasted Green Chile ChickenGreat for lazy days you want to throw things in a pot and walk away. Ingredients:1 tsp Oregano1 tsp Cumin 3 pounds Chicken (bone-in preferred)4 slices of bacon (chopped)1/2 Yellow onion (large dice)1 10oz. can crushed tomatoes (or finely chopped fresh tomatoes)1/2 C chopped hatch green chiles (roasted)Cilantro for garnishInstructions:1. In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot. Bring to medium heat. Throw in dried spices and roast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly so they don't burn (no oil)....
Green Chile Sauce RecipeGreen Chile Sauce Goes great on everything! Use it on top of burritos, roasted vegetables, potatoes, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, or use it as a salsa with chips. Ingredients:4 Tbs butter1/2 yellow onion (diced)6 Tbs all purpose flour1Tbs chicken bullion1 1/2 C water 1/2 cup chopped hatch green chile (roasted)salt and pepper to taste Directions:1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add in onions. Saute onions until they become fragrant and translucent. 2. Once onions are cooked, turn down t...
When to Harvest Carolina ReapersWondering when to Harvest Carolina Reapers? You can harvest Carolina Reaper pods when they mature to red, typically after at least 90+ days of growing from seed. The Carolina Reaper is a super hot pepper – in fact, it still holds the Guinness world record for being the hottest pepper. However, just because they are the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper isn't harder to grow than other peppers! Most importantly, Carolina Reaper plants need a long growing season. Consequently,...
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...
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!
I got these to make Chipotle chilis. These fruit early and are mild-ish when green, but when they ripen, they are perfect for smoking and drying with great flavor and nice heat. Don't plant too many as they are quite prolific.
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...
New Mexico Chile Substitute
Some good New Mexico Chile substitutes include Anaheim Chile or Guajillo Chile, Chile de Arbol, which are related to New Mexico Chiles (in the same Capsicum annuum species) and can provide great flavor to your chile dishes. The Anaheim Chile – also known as California chile or Magdalena, is a medium-sized mild chile used in Southwestern cuisines – is actually the granddaddy of all the current New Mexico green chile pod types! It was originally known as New Mexico No. 9, developed by Dr. Fabi...
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...
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...
Problems growing carrots?
We used to have trouble growing carrots, specifically with sowing carrot seeds, likely because we did not keep them consistently moist during their germination period. Carrot seeds not germinating? Carrot seeds can be planted directly into the garden soil and are easy to grow. But there is a secret to growing carrots and getting the seeds to germinate. If you have problems with carrots in your garden (or at least starting the seeds), use the Carrot Board Trick: For best results, sow car...
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 ...
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...
Roasted Green Chile Chicken
Great for lazy days you want to throw things in a pot and walk away. Ingredients:1 tsp Oregano1 tsp Cumin 3 pounds Chicken (bone-in preferred)4 slices of bacon (chopped)1/2 Yellow onion (large dice)1 10oz. can crushed tomatoes (or finely chopped fresh tomatoes)1/2 C chopped hatch green chiles (roasted)Cilantro for garnishInstructions:1. In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot. Bring to medium heat. Throw in dried spices and roast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly so they don't burn (no oil)....
Green Chile Sauce Recipe
Green Chile Sauce Goes great on everything! Use it on top of burritos, roasted vegetables, potatoes, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, or use it as a salsa with chips. Ingredients:4 Tbs butter1/2 yellow onion (diced)6 Tbs all purpose flour1Tbs chicken bullion1 1/2 C water 1/2 cup chopped hatch green chile (roasted)salt and pepper to taste Directions:1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add in onions. Saute onions until they become fragrant and translucent. 2. Once onions are cooked, turn down t...
When to Harvest Carolina Reapers
Wondering when to Harvest Carolina Reapers? You can harvest Carolina Reaper pods when they mature to red, typically after at least 90+ days of growing from seed. The Carolina Reaper is a super hot pepper – in fact, it still holds the Guinness world record for being the hottest pepper. However, just because they are the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper isn't harder to grow than other peppers! Most importantly, Carolina Reaper plants need a long growing season. Consequently,...
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...
