PEPPER SEED You can easily start your pepper seeds in a small flat on your window sill! 1). Soil Preparation: Peppers require a warm spot for the best results, preferably with a well drained, rich soil. During the winter, dig up your plot thoroughly (being careful not to bring clay or granite to the surface) and incorporate a good compost into your soil. Shortly before planting add a good source of fertilizer to the plot. If you lack ground space, you can easily grow excellent peppers in 2 gallon sized pots or grow bags, but remember to water them regularly. In addition, regular feeding with a good fertilizer will be necessary. 2). Sowing & Planting: Sow the seeds into a standard sized propagator filled with a good seed starting mix or compost. Before you sow your seeds dampen the soil in your propagator and allow it to sit overnight. Sow two seeds in each cell of the propagator by placing the seed on top of the soil in the centre of the cell. (When the seedlings sprout, cull the weaker seedling). Sprinkle a light cover of compost or seed starting mix over the seed. Cover the propagator with a cloak. Alternatively if only a few plants are required you may use a pot of any size and a home-made cloak. To make a home-made cloak take a small, clear-plastic bottle and cut off the top part of the bottle. Small soda bottles cut at the top of the label are ideal for this purpose. Place the cloak over the sown area. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, for the best results. Keep the newly sown seeds at around 60 to 70 degrees for the most rapid growth. When the seeds have sprouted and matured into seedlings that are 6 inches high, transplant the seedlings into your plot, 2 gallon pots or grow bags. 3). Looking After the Plants : Mist the plants regularly to keep down on red spider mites and to encourage correct fruit setting. Some form of support for the plants are necessary, So attach the plants to a cane for the best results. Water the plants regularly and add a potassium rich food once the fruits begin to swell. 4). Harvesting : Pick the first fruits when they are green, swollen and glossy. Harvest as required; a mature green pepper will turn red after about 3 weeks of storage. The redder (and smaller) a pepper is, the hotter it will be. Always harvest the fruit with a sharp knife or pruners to avoid damaging the plant. 5). Storage : Peppers can be kept in a sealed container in the bottom of your refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage they may be canned or frozen. If you wish to can your peppers, you are recommended to obtain a good reference book on the subject. Please visit our website for some recommended titles. If you chose to freeze your peppers, for the best results slice your peppers into quarters and simmer them on your stove in a pot of water for 5 minutes and sieve them through a strainer to rid them of water. Allow them to cool and then pack into a container and place them in your freezer. Frozen vegetables keep for approximately one year. Be sure to date your containers! Happy Gardening!

~Pepper Pimiento de Padron~ (55 days) Little sweet chili size peppers often fried whole. They are Horned shaped about the size of a habanero pepper. They are an heirloom pepper of Spain. Every 10th or so will be extremely hot. If left to ripen red they will be quite spicy. Pick when they are about the size of large olives. Provides a very spicy and wonderful paprika if ripened and dried. approx 40-50 seed. Pepper Pimiento de Padron $1.75 ~Pepper Red Peter~ This is an heirloom red 'anatomical' hot pepper. Possibly originating out of the Appalachians. In addition to the 'anatomical' shape, this is actually a great tasting pepper with plenty of heat. approx 20 seed Pepper Red Peter $2.50 ~ Pepper Giant Szegedi ~ This is a large spicy sweet pepper good for frying or drying. Originally from Szegedi in Hungary. This is a delicious, semi-sweet pepper. This plant bears 8-12 peppers with medium-thick flesh of excellent quality. Color changes from pale yellow to deep orange when fully ripe. Appox 50 seed Pepper Giant Szegedi $2.00 ~Pepper Yellow Peter~ This is the yellow strain of the Peter pepper in Red. Harder to find. approx 25 seed Pepper Yellow Peter $1.50 ~Melrose Pepper Seed~ This ultra-sweet very rare Italian heirloom pepper was supposedly re-discovered in Melrose Park, Illinois and brought over years ago by an Italian family immigrating to the U.S. These pictured red , can also be used in the earlier green stage. They have amazingly sweet flavor, especially when used the traditional Italian way, fried. 4" x 2" fruit are deep red when fully ripe, very productive. approx 20 seed Melrose Pepper Seed $1.50