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Growing Emerald Giant Organic Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Start your Emerald Giant pepper seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use small pots or seed-starting trays filled with a well-draining, seed-starting mix. We recommend coconut coir. Avoid garden soil, as it can be too heavy and might contain pests or diseases. Moisten the mix slightly before planting to provide the ideal environment for your seeds.

Plant two seeds per pot, about ¼ inch deep. This ensures that at least one will germinate in each pot. Cover lightly with soil and gently press down. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the pots in a warm spot. A temperature of around 70-80 F (21-27 C) is ideal for germination. Once your seeds sprout, move them to a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. Peppers love light, so aim for at least 16 hours of light each day for the strongest growth.

After the last frost date has passed and your seedlings are about 6 inches tall, they're ready to move outside. Begin by hardening off your plants: gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions over a week to prevent shock. Select a sunny, well-drained location in your garden. Emerald Giant peppers need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce well. Dig holes about 12-18 inches apart to give each plant plenty of room to grow. Emerald Giant plants can be planted a bit closer together than other pepper varieties which usually require 2ft between each plant. Mix in some compost to enrich the soil. Remove the plants from their pots, being careful not to disturb the roots, and place them in the holes. Fill in with soil and water thoroughly.

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during hot, dry periods. Emerald Giant is more drought tolerant than other pepper varieties, but it still prefers consistent moisture when possible. An organic mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Ensure your mulch is untreated to maintain the organic integrity of your harvest. An organic compost tea can be effective for more fertilization needs. Emerald Giant plants can get quite large and heavy with fruit. Consider staking or using cages to support them and keep the peppers off the ground.

Watch for common pests like aphids, spider mites, and the dreaded pepper hornworm. Insecticidal soap can handle most infestations but always try to identify the problem accurately before treating it. Planting basil, oregano, or parsley nearby can help repel pests and may even enhance the flavor of your peppers.

Pruning is not strictly necessary, but removing the first flowers can encourage more robust growth and higher yields. Also, trimming any lower leaves that touch the ground can help prevent disease. Practice crop rotation and remove any plant debris to prevent fungal diseases. Water at the base of the plants in the morning to allow foliage to dry and reduce disease risk.

Harvesting Organic Emerald Giant Peppers

Your peppers are ready to harvest when they're large, glossy, and a deep green color, typically around 77 days after transplanting. The fruits are emerald green, thick-walled, and very sweet, 4.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide. Cut them from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors to avoid damage. Enjoy your hard-earned organic produce!

About Emerald Giant Organic Pepper Garden Seeds

Emerald Giant was developed in 1963. This huge pepper was selected for heavy yields and large, robust plant structures to support lots of peppers.

This organic, heirloom four-lobed pepper is perfect for stuffing with its thick walls, sweet flesh, and a mild flavor.

Emerald Giant is resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus Disease and it is excellent for growing in the South. If you like Organic California Wonder, you will love Organic Emerald Giant.

These wonderful green bell peppers are ideal for growing in containers, garden beds, raised beds, greenhouses, and even 5-gallon buckets. They are drought tolerant.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I have loved using True Leaf Market’s Coconut Coir for seed starting this year. It is space efficient and easy to tell when the seedlings need to be watered again. The coconut coir will be dark brown, almost black when wet, and light brown when dry. It really has taken the guesswork out of it for me."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Scoville Heat Scale

Emerald Giant Organic Pepper Seeds Per Package:

• 250mg - Wholesale - Approximately 30 Seeds
• 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 3,360 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 13,440 Seeds

Non-GMO Emerald Giant Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.