Peppers

Venezuelan and Caribbean heirloom -  Has the same shape, size, color and aroma as Habanero, but is sweet, spicy, and delicious, with only a trace of heat. Highly aromatic fruits; their flavor is unusual and complex, with overtones of black pepper and coriander, and undertones of other spicy flavors. An excellent choice for sautéed vegetables, rice and bean dishes, paprika, or herbal vinegars. The thin-walled pendant fruits are 1 x 2 in., tapering at both the stem and blossom end. Plants have good foliage cover and bear at 18 in. high. Seedlings grow slowly at first, but grow rapidly later in the season to 48 in. or more. Donna Hudson donated the orginal seedstock for Southern Exposure.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Aji Dulce are from Souther America and the Caribbean islands Haberno like fruits 99 days .2 grams of ~50 seeds  Instructions - Peppers prefer light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields. Start transplants 6-8 weeks before the planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2” or larger cells after the first set of true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F.  For growing transplants, maintain the temperature at around 75°F during the day and 65°F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing the temperature to 60-65°F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18" apart on 5-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either the unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage.  Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer. Store peppers at 50° - 54°F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45°F.    Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Seed Savers Exchange - Highly productive plants are loaded with thick-walled cherry-type peppers. One of the best varieties for drying and grinding for paprika, or for fresh eating. Ripens from cream-white to orange to red. 70-80 days from transplant. Mildly peppery and very sweet. ±4,100 seeds/oz. Characteristics  Organic Cherry type fruits ripen from cream-white to orange to red Fruits are thick-walled The sweet, mildly peppery flavor Highly productive 70-80 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant Rows 12-24” Apart Germinates in 14 days Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Southwestern style traditional Anaheim harvested green for stuffing, grilling, roasting, or processing. Peppers average 8" long and have thick, crisp flesh with mild heat and excellent flavor. The very productive strain quickly changes from green to red. In 1894 Emilio Ortega started farming ths chili in Anaheim, California. The name Anaheim Chili stuck with this chile he brought from New Mexico. He would not only grow these for sale but developed a process to have it canned as fire-roasted chilis. This chili, like all chilis, vary in heat and flavor based on the soild it is grown.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Anaheim, California is where it was cultivated 8" fruits .3 grams of ~40 seeds  Instructions - Peppers prefer light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields. Start transplants 6-8 weeks before the planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2” or larger cells after the first set of true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F.  For growing transplants, maintain the temperature at around 75°F during the day and 65°F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing the temperature to 60-65°F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18" apart on 5-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either the unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage.  Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer. Store peppers at 50° - 54°F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45°F.    Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Seed Savers Exchange - The broad-shouldered, conical, wildly sweet peppers of this prolific variety reach 3" in length and ripen to all red on sturdy 24" plants. Seed Savers Exchange member Ron Thuma has grown it faithfully since 1993, when he obtained the pepper from Johnny’s Selected Seeds for trial. 80 days from transplant. Sweet. Characteristics  Organic Sweet pepper 80 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant Rows 12-24” Apart Germinates in 14 days Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Revived by North Carolina seed saver Rob Danford. One of the few peppers that reliably produces well in the short Smoky Mountain growing season (150 days or less). An incredibly sweet, bright red, thick-fleshed pimento pepper, 4 x 1½ in. Great raw, as well as for cooking, roasting, and canning. Small (24-30 in.) plants may be closely spaced (18 in. apart). These peppers are from Ashe County, town of West Jefferson in the Smoky Mountains. These peppers are small in size but big in flavor.  They have a concentrated sweetness and mild pepperiness.  Organic & Open-Pollinated 52 days from transplant for green .3 grams of seeds, ~50 seeds    Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinates in 14 days Plant Rows 12-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Seed Exchange - Stunning 1½" long fruits borne on foot-high ornamental plants, perfect for container growing. Fruits ripen from lavender to deep purple to orange and finally to red. 60-75 days from transplant. Medium hot. Organic Colorful fruits grow to 1-2 inches Plants grow to 12 inches Medium hot pepper 60-75 days from transplant 25 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinates in 14 days Plant Rows 12-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability    

Seed Exchange - This gorgeous, versatile, and delicious blocky pepper originates from Italy and is ideal for stuffing, frying, and canning, with a heat level that ranges from mild to hot. Pendant fruits measure 4 to 5 inches long by 2 to 2.5 inches wide. Its medium-thick flesh matures from green to red, and plants measure 18 to 24 inches tall. (70-80 days). This Italian family heirloom pepper was donated to Seed Savers Exchange in 2015 by Chad and Michele Ogle-Riccelli of Des Moines, Iowa. Chad's great-grandparents, Giovanni "John" Ausilio and Rachel P. Scarcello, immigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. Their daughter Theresa continues to grow the pepper, which today is at the center of the family's culinary traditions. It is used for drying, frying, stuffing, canning and making sardas (savory rolls flavored with dried peppers and sardines). ±4,200 seeds/oz When asked why the family chose to preserve this pepper and save seeds form year to year, Chad says, "As Grandma (Theresa Ausilio Riccelli) would tell you, they are her family seeds. Something that special, you love and pass on for generations to come...These peppers are part of our heritage." Organic Italian-style thin skin frying pepper Red fruits grow to 5 inches long Moderate to high heat 25 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinates in 14 days Plant Rows 12-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Banana Peppers are known for heavy yields, short time to harvest for peppers.  They ripen in 70 days and go from pale green > yellow > orange > crimson red.  Heavy yields of attractive, banana- shaped peppers, 6 x 1½ in. Eaten at any ripeness stage, but sweetest when red. Great for colorful salads, frying, and freezing. 42 in. plants. Excellent choice for Mid-Atlantic region. Characteristics  Sweet pepper 70 days from transplant for white, up to 90 days for red .3 grams of seed - ~40 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant Rows 12-24” Apart Germinates in 14 days Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Seed Savers Exchange - Highly ornamental and useful in the kitchen, the 4" long fiery fruits of this early-to-mature pepper resemble jalapeños, but are shiny black and eventually ripen to red. The prolific plants grow to 3' tall and produce green foliage highlighted by dark-purple veins alongside beautiful purple flowers. A good substitute for jalapeños. 70-80 days from transplant. Medium hot. ±4,200 seeds/oz Characteristics  Spicy fruits ripen from black to red A good substitute for jalapeños Fruits grow to 4 inches Medium hot pepper 25 Seeds per packet   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant Rows 12-24” Apart Germinates in 14 days Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Living Seed Company - This pepper is a real beauty!  And tasty too!  Mildly hot jalapeño shaped shaped peppers ripen green to black and finally deep red.   Delicious flavor.  Wonderful purple flowers and dark green foliage with purple veins make this a wonderful edible ornamental.  Relatively rare. Orange fruits grow to 4 inches Excellent flavor Highly productive Heavy yields 60-70 days from transplant 2500 Scoville Heat Level (Mildy Hot) 25 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. Harvest with scissors! Sow indoors 8 weeks before the last frost Plant 1/4" deep Germinates in 14 days Plant Rows 12-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability