Pepper Seeds - Hot - Big Jim
70-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Big Jim Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 2,000 to 3,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Medium-hot and fleshy tapered pods average 7.5-8 x almost 2 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 4 ounces. 24 to 40 pods on 16-24 inch plants, flowers when hot and dry, ripen all at once. ~ 5,000 Seeds/ounce.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Big Jim Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
To start your Big Jim hot peppers off right, begin by sowing seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. This head start is crucial as peppers require a long growing season and germinate best in warm soil. Plant the seeds at a depth of about 1/4 inch in a sterile seed starting mix. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and maintain a temperature around 80-85 F, which might require a heat mat. Once seedlings emerge, usually within 1-2 weeks, provide them with plenty of light—either from a south-facing window or a grow light—to prevent them from becoming leggy.
After the seedlings have developed several true leaves and the outdoor temperatures consistently stay above 55 F at night, they are ready to be hardened off. This process involves gradually exposing the plants to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days to toughen them up. Transplant them into a sunny, well-draining spot in the garden, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart. Peppers thrive in rich, loamy soil, so amending your garden with compost or well-rotted manure will give them a good start. Alternatively, Big Jim peppers also do well in containers, making them a versatile choice for those with limited space. Just ensure the pots are at least 12 inches in diameter and have good drainage.
Companion planting can enhance the health and yield of your peppers. Good companions for Big Jim peppers include onions, basil, and carrots. These plants can help deter pests and improve overall garden health. However, keep peppers away from brassicas, as these can inhibit each other's growth.
Throughout the growing season, Big Jim peppers benefit from consistent watering, especially as fruits begin to form. However, it's important to let the soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. A layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and control weeds. For nutrition, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at the time of planting and then periodically throughout the season will support robust growth.
Harvesting Big Jim Hot Peppers
You’ll know your Big Jim peppers are ready to harvest when they reach their full size, about 7-12 inches long, and the skin turns from green to a deep red—an indication of full maturity and optimal flavor. Big Jim peppers are also commonly harvested when still green for that classic green chili flavor. To harvest, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the pepper from the plant, leaving a short amount of stem attached. This helps prevent damage to the plant and keeps the pepper fresher longer.
About Big Jim Hot Pepper Garden Seeds
The Big Jim pepper was developed by New Mexico State University in the 1970's to produce some of the largest peppers in the world which are often picked as green chiles which the state is known for.
These massive hot peppers can reach up to a foot long on the extreme end but average around 8 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Big Jim is perfect for canning, drying, or otherwise preserving because the peppers typically develop all at once in the heat of the summer.
In the culinary world, its mild heat level allows it to be a more approachable option for dishes where you want just a touch of spiciness without overwhelming the other flavors. Because of its thicker flesh, it is also an excellent candidate for grilling and stuffing.
Its heat level is considered moderate, typically ranging between 2,000 to 3,000 Scoville Heat Units, which makes it about as hot as a mild jalapeno pepper.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"If you’re looking for a mild pepper that will give you lots of bang for your buck, Big Jim is it!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Big Jim Hot Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 1 g - Approximately 176 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 400,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Big Jim Hot Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Hot - These peppers all have some heat and usually rank at least 100, but usually 500 or more on the Scoville scale and have heat ranging from mild to extremely hot. |
| Big Jim - Pepper Color: | Red |
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: | 70-100 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 16-24 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: | 16-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 2,000 to 3,000 |
| Heat Level: | Medium - 2,500 to 30,000 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Jalapeno |
| 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 |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |