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Growing NuMex Joe E. Parker Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Start growing your peppers by prepping your seed starting trays. You should plant the seeds about 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date. You can choose either a seed starting mix like Minute Soil Coco Clair, or you can just choose well-draining soil. Plant the seeds about 0.25 inches deep. Try to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can check whether you need to water your plants by sticking your finger into the soil - if it feels dry, then give your plants some water, but make sure not to overwater. If the soil looks wet, then wait for it to dry out a bit before you water your plants next. Keep your peppers in a warm spot for germination, somewhere around 80-90 F. You can use a grow light to create a warmer space that will help them germinate. After about 7-10 days, they should germinate, and you can move them to a cooler spot so they can be hardened off before you plant them in the garden. Plant your seedlings in a sunny location that has well-draining soil, ideally somewhere you haven’t grown nightshades in a while, to make sure the soil has plenty of nutrients. Plant the rows about 2-3 feet apart, and plant individual plants about 12-18 inches apart. Dig a hole and make sure the roots are covered completely!
Keep a close eye on your peppers & take good care of them throughout the growing process to make sure they produce a bountiful harvest! Water them consistently, especially during dry periods. You can add mulch around the base of your plants to help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds. You can try giving your plants a fertilizer full of phosphorus and calcium to help promote their growth. If your plants get especially tall, you may need to give them some support with a trellis or cage to support the weight of the fruit. You can also try companion planting - plant some marigolds and basil alongside your peppers to attract pollinators and keep the pests at bay. And keep an eye on your peppers - if you spot any pests or diseases, make sure to treat them immediately!
Harvesting NuMex Joe E. Parker Peppers
As your peppers start to grow bright fruit, keep watch for the perfect harvest moment. Usually, they'll be ready to pick around 70-79 days after transplanting, with a vibrant red hue and will feel firm. Since these are hot peppers, they're tasty both when fully ripe or premature - as they ripen, they’ll become a bright red color. When it's time to harvest, take your garden shears or a knife and give your peppers a clean snip off the plant, leaving a little stem on the plant. Wear gloves and wash your hands immediately after harvesting.
About NuMex Joe E. Parker Pepper Garden Seeds
Named after Joe E Parker, an agriculture graduate of New Mexico State University, this pepper is known for its mild heat, flavor, and versatility in cooking.
Similar to Anaheim peppers and rated between 500 and 2,000 on the Scoville scale, the peppers that grow from these seeds have thick flesh and a rich full flavor that makes them extremely versatile when it comes to cooking. A popular choice for roasting or grilling, they can also be used in recipes for salsas, fajitas, soups, and more. Additionally, NuMex Joe E Parker peppers that have been roasted can be frozen for later use.
These peppers are fairly unique in that not only can they be harvested when either green or red, but they can also be eaten immediately when freshly picked if so desired, allowing you to eat them straight out of the garden.
These peppers grow well in greenhouses, garden plots, and raised beds.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Exclusively cultivated by New Mexico State University's premier Chile Pepper Institute, NuMex College 64L hot peppers boast peppers each rated at 500-2,500 SHU. Nu Mex Joe E Parker are useful to make chili powder and salsas. They also are excellent grilled or sauteed, as well as used to add some heat to other dishes."
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- Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
NuMex Joe E. Parker Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg packet - Approximately 45 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
Non-GMO NuMex Joe E. Parker Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.