Peppers--choose sweet, hot, spicy or pretty
By Ted Schaaf
Gardens on Spring Creek
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Of all the garden vegetables I grow, the pepper plant is by far the most
enjoyable garden and greenhouse plant. Not only do they bring delight to
our taste buds, they are very attractive plants as well.
Nutritionally, peppers contain lots of vitamin A, B and C. Peppers are
called peppers because Columbus thought he found the plant that was responsible
for ground pepper.
Pepper varieties
Pepper varieties are so exciting in that there are so many from which
to choose. Of course it is the sweet bell pepper that is one of America's
favorites. For years I have grown the sweet bell pepper called Gypsy. It
is somewhat blocky, but more slender than most bell peppers. It is also,
by far, one of the most outstanding tasting bell peppers. I grow Gypsy
in the greenhouse at the Gardens and it produces peppers all the way up
until Christmas.
Several years ago I discovered the most incredible sweet roasting pepper
called Tasty Grill Red. I purchased the seed from Thompson and Morgan,
a popular English seed company. This pepper was especially bred for grilling.
Similar to a banana pepper in shape, it turns a brilliant red when ripe
and is one of the sweetest peppers I've ever tasted.
Corno di Toro, which means Red Bulls Horn, is an heirloom from Italy. It
is another frying pepper that is deliciously sweet.
For those who like stuffers try Pomodoro. It looks like a beefsteak tomato
and is extra crisp and sweet.
Hot and spicy peppers are the trademark for southwestern dishes. The most
popular of these is the Jalapeño. An old-fashioned heirloom, it is only
1 inch across and 2 inches long. Although small in stature, the Jalapeño
is big in the heat department.
Another favorite hot pepper is the Anaheim. It, too, is an heirloom pepper
and is great for use in milder sauces. The Anaheim is considerably milder
in the heat category than the smaller Cayenne pepper.
When cooking with spicy peppers, it's important to note that their heat
comes from capsaicin oil that is contained in the membranes that join the
seed to the fruit. So, the more membrane and seeds you use, the hotter
the dish.
I have grown ornamental peppers for years. Because there are so many to
choose from, it's tough to choose a favorite, but one of the most stunning
plants for the garden is the Black Pearl. On this plant, fantastic foliage
matures to a glossy black with small round glossy black fruit that becomes
red when ripe. When grown indoors, the Black Pearl is perennial. In my
greenhouse, it has been growing strong for three years now.
A fun pepper for children is the Chilly Chili pepper. This plant is a small
12-inch plant that bears nonpungent fruit. The peppers change from chartreuse
to orange to dark red and show their entire color range at one time. In
addition to its array of color, another reason the Chilly Chili is perfect
for children is that it is safe to touch and hold.
A pepper I grow for the holiday season is called Treasures Red. This pepper's
showy conical fruits are held high above the foliage and change from white
to bright red upon reaching maturity.
Growing peppers
As pepper plants love the heat, expect them to really start growing in
late June. For those with limited space, peppers can easily be grown in
a five-gallon nursery pot. Be sure to stake the plant. Although aphids
seem to seek out pepper plants, they can be easily washed off with a steady
stream of water. Feed pepper plants with a good organic fertilizer. Visit
your local farmers' market to look for the peppers I've mentioned, as well
as other tasty varieties.
Until next time, happy gardening!
Ted Schaaf is the horticulturist for Fort Collins' Gardens on Spring Creek,
located off Centre Avenue about a half mile south of Prospect Road.
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