The Crafty Cultivator

One of my goals for later this year is to attempt to make homemade hot sauce. And also to up my “seasoning” game. With the cold and wet spring and summer that we had last year, I didn’t get much of a harvest of very many things. So I’ll try again this year.

With that in mind, I figured I would do a post about the pepper plan for this year. I’ll be starting most of these in February. Since peppers grow more slowly than Tomatoes, this just gives them enough time to grow before they go outside. Also, since I don’t have any bottom heat, the germination can take a little longer, so the extra time helps. The main problem is finding the space to keep them going before spring gets here. I could REALLY use a greenhouse. 😉

I’ll be growing Cayenne again this year. I got some new seeds from MI Gardener. They are the Long Slim Cayenne that I usually grow, but since I’ve had so many problems with the germination of the McKenzie Seeds over the last few years that I’m looking forward to trying something new. I’ll be drying them for Cayenne Pepper, and also using them in my homemade hot-sauce if I can get to that point.  I’m aiming to grow around 4 plants.

I bought these Ancho Grande Peppers on a whim… But also to make homemade chilli powder. I might also follow the suggestion on the seed packet and try stuffing them with quinoa and veggies. I’m aiming to grow 1-2 plants.

Tabasco Peppers… This is where my homemade hot sauce goal came from. Also, they are smaller and container friendly, which means I don’t need to try and cram them in somewhere.  I’m aiming to grow about 4 plants.

Paprika… I’ve wanted to grow more and more of my own spices, and I’m excited to attempt Paprika this year. We have been wanting to get a smoker, and If we do, You know that I’ll be making myself some smoked Paprika too. I’m aiming for around 2-4 plants.

Cherry Bomb Peppers. I’ve wanted to try these for a few years but I’ve never been super excited enough to justify the cost at other seed companies, but with MI Gardener, It makes it so easy to justify getting more variety and different things to try. I’m aiming to grow just 1 of these to see how they do.

Last but not least, is the Marconi Peppers that I got last year. I only got one pepper off the 2 plants I grew in 2019, but the year was just not ideal for them and I’m hoping that Mother Nature cooperates a bit more this year. I’m aiming for 2 plants again this year.

As for Sweet Peppers (other than the Marconi), I will probably just buy a few plants at a garden centre again this year. If you have any favourite ways to preserve sweet peppers, share them below. I’d like to be able to grow some to preserve in my future life where I have a huge garden (and greenhouse), and I need inspiration.

Additionally, If we end up getting a smoker, I will be adding some Jalapenos so I can make my own chipotle peppers. For now though, I am going to stick to trying out my new seeds.

At the top of my pepper wish-list is Fish Peppers. But I think I will save them to try next year. Even just for their foliage.