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Growing Fish Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Fish Pepper seeds should be sown indoors about 6-8 weeks before your area’s last expected frost date. Since peppers need warmth to germinate, it’s important to keep the seeds in a warm, controlled environment with a consistent temperature of 70-85 F. If you’re using seed-starting trays or pots, fill them with a good quality, well-draining seed-starting mix.

When sowing the seeds, plant them at a depth of about 0.25 inches. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and gently press down to ensure good contact. Mist the soil lightly with water to keep it moist, but be careful not to overwater. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days, though it can take longer if temperatures are cooler. Once the seedlings emerge, ensure they get plenty of light from a sunny windowsill or a grow light for 12-16 hours per day.

Once the seedlings are about 6-8 weeks old and have developed a few true leaves, they must be hardened off before being transplanted into the garden. Each day, increase their time outdoors and gradually expose them to more direct sunlight. After about a week, they should be ready to handle the outdoor environment full-time. Transplant the seedlings into your garden or containers when all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 F.

Water the plants deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, aiming for around 1-2 inches of water per week. If growing in containers, ensure they have adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. When transplanting, it’s a good idea to amend the soil with organic compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. After the plants produce flowers, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage fruiting. Fish Peppers benefit from being fertilized every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Harvesting Organic Fish Hot Peppers

The fruits start yellow-green with some striping and then gradually transition through shades of orange and a deep red when fully ripe. You can harvest them at any stage of ripeness, depending on your flavor preferences. To harvest, simply snip or twist the peppers off the plant, careful not to damage the stems.

About Fish Hot Pepper Garden Seeds

The Fish Pepper is an heirloom variety with origins tied to the African American communities in the Chesapeake Bay area, particularly in Baltimore and the Mid-Atlantic. It was traditionally used in fish and shellfish dishes, which is how it earned its name. It’s been around since the 19th century and was nearly lost until seed savers preserved it.

Since this is a hot pepper variety, wearing gloves when handling the fruit is advisable, as the oils can cause irritation.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"For a milder flavor, harvest when the peppers are still striped with white and green. If you prefer a hotter, more complex flavor, wait until the peppers have fully ripened to red."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer