Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Carmen Hybrid
75 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Carmen Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. 2006 AAS Winner. Sweet Carmen Peppers are a new Italian-style sweet pepper with a sweet and fruity flavor. Italian sweet peppers can be cooked or eaten raw. Their medium-thick skin can hold up to grilling and cooking, but they can still be sliced for raw eating in salads. Pepper is suitable for greenhouse or field production. ~4,000 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Carmen Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Begin by planting your Sweet Carmen Hybrid Pepper seeds indoors. This step is crucial because it allows the seedlings to start life in a controlled environment, safeguarding them from the elements and any unexpected late cold snaps. Start your seeds about 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use small pots or a seed starting tray filled with a seed starting mix. Moisten the soil before planting the seeds about ¼ inch deep. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and in a warm spot to encourage germination. You should see sprouts in 7-14 days. Provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light, to prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy.
Once the weather warms up and all danger of frost has passed, it's time to acclimatize your pepper plants to outdoor conditions. This process is called hardening off and involves gradually exposing your plants to outdoor temperatures, sunlight, and breezes over a week or so. Start by placing them outside in a shaded, protected spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outdoors. This helps prevent shock, allowing them to adjust smoothly to their new environment.
Sweet Carmen Hybrid Peppers thrive when planted in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. If you're planting in a garden plot or raised bed, space the plants about 18-24 inches apart to give them room to grow and ensure good air circulation. For those planting in greenhouses, ensure adequate ventilation and spacing for healthy growth. These peppers enjoy warm conditions, so choose a spot that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day.
As your Sweet Italian pepper plants grow, they will reach between two and three feet in height. Support their growth with stakes or cages to keep them upright and protect the stems from breaking under the weight of the peppers. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and consider using a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to encourage robust growth and fruit production. Utilizing a dark-colored mulch at the base of the plants can increase soil warmth and reduce watering needs. Check the plants daily for signs of pests and diseases. The best IPM strategy is a preventative one!
Harvesting Carmen Hybrid Peppers
The peppers start forming at around 60 days, appearing green initially. While tempting, waiting until they mature fully at about 80 days is worth it, as this is when Sweet Carmen Hybrid Peppers reach their peak sweetness and vibrant red color. To harvest, gently cut the peppers from the plants with a sharp knife or scissors to avoid damaging the plant.
About Carmen Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds
Sweet Carmen Hybrid Peppers have numerous health benefits. They are a great crunchy snack to enjoy when you are trying to find something low in calories. It is full of vitamin A and C, and fiber. Many nutrients in Italian sweet peppers make it a no-brainer to add to your meals.
This 2006 All-American Selections Winner is a great pepper for those looking for a sweet pepper that isn't a bell pepper. Sweet Italian Peppers are versatile in the kitchen. Their medium skin means you can cook them and eat them raw. You can char the skin on your grill, slice it into a salad, or saute it into a stir fry. The possibilities are endless.
The Carmen Hybrid is known for its exceptional sweetness and rich flavor, making it a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. Its slightly curved, horn-shaped fruits mature to a deep, glossy red, offering not just a visual treat but also a culinary delight.
This pepper variety is particularly resilient, boasting resistance to Tobacco Mosaic Virus, which is great news for your garden's health. Suitable for various growing environments such as garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses, these peppers are versatile and adaptable.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"Sweet varieties like this are perfect for pranks! To the average Joe, these appear to be very spicy hot peppers. But they have 0 Scoville units! Eat a few in a row in front of a friend and amaze them at your newfound ‘spice tolerance.’"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Carmen Hybrid Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 10 seed Packet
- 100 seed Packet
Non-GMO Carmen Hybrid Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Carmen Hybrid Pepper Color: | Red |
| Carmen Hybrid Pepper Flavor: | Sweet and fruity |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 75 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 0 |
| Heat Level: | Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Bell Peppers |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 61 to 75 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Pepper Use: | Raw eating, slicing, grilling |