I was in the kitchen garden harvesting some miniature peppers this morning. I had seen these cute little peppers being sold in grocery stores for $5 a pound. Back In January I saw seeds for the peppers in a seed catalogue and I quickly ordered some so I could try them out. Now that we have had three hot summers the weather is perfect here for growing peppers. The raised bed they are planted in gets full sun for most of the day. It seems to be the perfect location for this heat loving fruit.
I planted the pepper seedlings using the red plastic that is supposed to help achieve higher yields. Next year I will just cut strips of the red plastic and place it between the rows but close to the plant stems. It will be much easier that way. Trying to dig a planting hole in the slits I cut in the plastic was too time consuming. Even though the other plants don’t show the red plastic, I did end up using strips throughout the whole bed. Has it increased my yield? I think so but them I haven’t tried it without it. I still think the old fashioned ways for growing are the way to go but I will always try something once.
This is how it looks today. I have to laugh at the way the Marigolds grew. I never dreamed this type of Marigold would bush out like it did. It’s Marigold ‘Bonanza Mix’ and definitely a keeper for next year. In this bed are miniature bell peppers, green bell peppers and jalapeno peppers. As our weather has dipped to about 10C-11C at night I know its time to harvest before we have any cold damage. Peppers grow best at temperatures above 55F or 13C. Last night I placed a floating row cover over this crop to keep some warmth in. I will remove it during the day.
Today I harvested the first of the miniature peppers. Are they not the cutest? Now what will I make with them? I know I could use them raw in salads or stir fry them but that seems so ordinary. Today I found a recipe that literally had me drooling. It’s by Valerie Lugonja, the Canadian Foodie. Check out her recipe here for stuffed miniature peppers. There is nothing better than looking at what you have prepared for dinner and knowing you grew it as well. I only picked 3/4 lb. of peppers today as my back told me the bending over the bed may not be in my best interest. I need to build in a seat rail along my raised beds for easier harvesting.
So just to show the size of the peppers, here is an orange one. I cant wait to harvest more peppers and make this dish for dinner.
I’ve never done real well with peppers. Perhaps next year I should plant them with marigolds like you did.
It was interesting as the marigolds brought in lots of beneficial insects. I am sure it helped with pollination.
Michael, when I had problems raising peppers on the farm, it was suggested that the soil was lacking in sulphur content. Perhaps a soil test would help you?
DeltaGardener,
I grew these peppers for the first time this year as well, although mine are in containers. Probably the most prolific sweet peppers I’ve ever raised. I’ve not made the cream cheese stuffing for them though. We’ve just been taking the easy way and adding them to salads. I’ll be raising them again.
You know Wendy, I am not sure I like the mini peppers raw so much. Maybe they need to grow a bit longer. There is definitely a bumper crop so I will cook them for sure.
Oh, how lucky are you!!!! I love to garden, too – but peppers do not do well in my garden. I have a good tomato green thumb, though.
GORGEOUS garden!
Thanks Valerie! This is my first year with peppers so I am pretty happy they have done well.
They are so very cute – my peppers are the pits this year. I did them with black plastic film under 6mm hoop tunnels last year and they did far better than in the open raised beds this year. Oh well, you win some and you lose some! You will have to post pictures of those little guys stuffed, they sound delicious!!!