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Growing Tennessee Red Cheese Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

To ensure a successful pepper harvest, starting your seeds indoors is a smart move, especially about two months prior to the anticipated last frost of spring. This practice isn't just about outpacing the growing season; it's fundamentally about soil temperature. Peppers need both warmth and moisture, conditions you can easily mimic within the controlled environment of a seed starting tray. Opt for a well-designed seed tray, like a 12-cell set, and fill it with a high-quality germination mix. Avoid garden soil, as it might not provide the best start for indoor seed germination. Sow 2-3 pepper seeds per cell, covering them lightly with soil to a depth of about a quarter inch. Over the following 2-3 weeks, maintain the soil's warmth and keep it moist (but never waterlogged).

After germination, it's crucial to ensure your seedlings receive ample light—8 to 12 hours daily, either from grow lights or a sunny south-facing window. Grow lights are advantageous as they offer consistent illumination, preventing the seedlings from becoming elongated and weak. In cooler climates, consider a heating mat to maintain soil temperatures above 65°F, as pepper seedlings are particularly sensitive to cold.

As the seedlings grow and develop 2 or 3 sets of leaves, thin them to maintain the strongest seedling in each cell. Continue providing consistent warmth, light, and moisture. At about 4 weeks of age, start to let the soil dry slightly between watering sessions, and after a week, begin acclimatizing them outdoors to reduce transplant shock. This involves gradually increasing their outdoor exposure daily. Regular watering is crucial, and ensure they're shielded from temperatures dropping below 55 F at night. Remove any early blossoms to encourage stronger plant growth.

Prior to moving your seedlings to their final outdoor location, prepare your garden bed or containers with fresh, nutrient-rich soil, avoiding areas where peppers, tomatoes, or potatoes have grown in the last three years to minimize disease risk and soil depletion. Enhance soil quality and water retention by adding amendments like compost, coconut coir, or perlite. Transplant your seedlings when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F, spacing them appropriately to allow for ample growth. A calcium supplement in the planting hole can prevent blossom end rot. Cover the soil with a dark mulch to keep it warm and moist, which also helps in weed control.

Supporting your pepper plants with stakes or cages is beneficial as they grow and begin fruiting. Regular watering and vigilant pest and disease checks will keep your plants healthy. While pruning is not essential, it can promote a quicker final harvest by removing non-fruiting branches. Use clean, sharp shears for any pruning tasks.

Harvesting Red Tennessee Cheese Peppers

Cheese Red pimento peppers can be harvested at any ripeness stage but are at their peak maturity when fully scarlet red. Hold the pepper in one hand and snip off the stem 1-2 inches above the pepper with your dominant hand.

About Cheese Red Pepper Garden Seeds

Cheese Red is a pimento-type pepper with thick red flesh and a candy-like taste. This 3-inch-long sweet pepper is great for stuffing or eating fresh. They are so good they’re almost addictive. If you are looking for a delicious treat, Cheese Red is the pepper for you!

Cheese peppers are often categorized in groups that resemble the puck-like shape of cheese wheels, especially those quaint and colorful waxed cheeses.

They're often sweet and more aromatic than standard bell peppers, with a thick flesh that makes them ideal for stuffing, baking, and adding a burst of color and flavor to dishes.

Some of the antioxidants in red bell peppers, like quercetin, have been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis and heart disease.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Try stuffing the Cheese Red peppers with… you guessed it… cheese! Well, not only cheese. Mix together black beans, brown rice, Mexican seasonings, salsa, and a generous amount of Oaxaca cheese for a killer, protein-filled, vegetarian dish. Bake them in the oven until warmed and bubbly and serve with a side of corn tortillas. Delicious!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Scoville Heat Scale

Cheese Red Pepper Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg - Approximately 53 Seeds
• 1/4 oz - Approximately 1,250 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 Red Tennessee Cheese Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.