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Growing Nu Mex Sweet Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
To start your journey with NuMex Sweet peppers, begin by sowing seeds indoors. Start this process about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. This timing allows the seedlings to grow strong and healthy before being transplanted outdoors. Plant the seeds in small pots or seed trays filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds at a depth of about 0.25 inches, lightly covering them with soil. It’s important to maintain a warm environment, ideally around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit To ensure good germination, use a heat mat and grow lights to maintain consistent light and temperatures.
About two weeks before the last frost, begin the hardening-off process. This involves gradually exposing them to the outdoor environment to prevent transplant shock. Start by placing the seedlings outside in a sheltered area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time they spend outdoors over the course of a week or two. Make sure to protect them from strong winds and direct sunlight initially, slowly increasing their exposure as they adapt.
Once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to transplant the peppers into the garden. Choose a location that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-draining. You can improve the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. Space the plants about 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 24 to 36 inches apart.
NuMex Sweet peppers. They require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather conditions. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature. Once the plants are established, you can apply a side dressing of fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or choose one slightly higher in potassium to promote flowering and fruiting.
Harvesting Nu Mex Sweet Peppers
NuMex Sweet peppers are typically ready for harvest 90 days after transplanting, depending on the growing conditions. The peppers should be firm, with a bright green or red color, depending on the variety and desired sweetness. To harvest the peppers, use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a short stem attached to the fruit. Avoid pulling or twisting the peppers, as this can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to continue producing fruit.
About Nu Mex Sweet Pepper Garden Seeds
Nu Mex peppers are typically hot, spicy, and flavorful peppers. These sweet ones deliver the same flavor and texture but without any spice at all! They have ZERO Scoville units.
The sweet flavor and firm texture of NuMex Sweet peppers make them ideal for various culinary applications. They can be used fresh in salads, roasted, stuffed, or incorporated into salsas and sauces.
This heirloom variety of sweet peppers is perfect for kids due to their small size. They are delicious for snacks and on-the-go meals!
Stories From Our Gardeners
"I’m not sure if it is just my garden or what, but I feel like pepper plants are super slow growers in comparison to tomatoes and cucumbers. Keep your eyes peeled for developing flowers. This is a sign your plants are going to be productive. Don’t see many flowers? You may need more light or nutrients."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
Nu Mex Sweet Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 300 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 38 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 905 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 3,618 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 14,472 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 57,888 Seeds
Non-GMO Nu Mex Sweet Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Capsicum annuum
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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. |
Nu Mex Sweet Pepper Color: |
Red |
Nu Mex Sweet Pepper Flavor: |
They are characterized by their thick flesh and sweet, fruity flavor. |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial in zones 10 and 11, but commonly grown as an annual. |
Days to Maturity: |
90 (from transplant) |
Days to Germination: |
7-10 |
Seeding Depth: |
0.25 inch |
Plant Spacing: |
12-24 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: |
12-18 inches |
Plant Spread: |
12-18 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: |
Late - Ready for harvest around 91 days or more from transplant. |
Germination Temperature: |
80-90 F |
Pests and Diseases: |
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, Container |
Pepper Use: |
Salad, salsa, sauce, snacking, etc. |
Climate Tolerance: |
Heat |