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SWEET PEPPERS
Banana Sweet
Sweet banana pepper excellent for eating both fresh, or cooked. Thick-walled grow a pale green, ripen to yellow, then eventually to red. 66 days
Totally Tomato
Sweet - Bull’s Horn - Corno di Toro Rosso (green to red)
This is a standard in Italy for frying. Tall plants give large yields of “authentic Bull’s Horn” tapered and pointed style Italian peppers. I have custom grown this type for years for a customer. I thought we would finally add them to the list for 2014. 70 days.
Picture and Source: GourmetSeed.com
BELL - Red Impact
New for 2025! 75 days. New hybrid released by the creators of Giant Marconi. 7 x 4 inch, 8-9 ounce peppers. Plants are very productive with improved disease resistance. It won a couple awards...it looked big. Check it out: Tomato Growers
Cone shaped - Violet Sparkle
These are very popular with the online reviews of our fellow gardeners. Thick-walled fruit are becoming replacements for the bell peppers that many people were growing. The small cone /wedge shaped fruit grow yellow, develop purple striping, and ripen red. Apparently they are very sweet in the red stage. If you don’t like to wait on the bell peppers, this one is apparently prolific enough to make a great alternative with huge yields. 75 days. Rare Seeds
Carmen Hybrid- EARLY CONE Pepper (green to red)
Added 2019. Horn shaped pepper that is very reliable and easy to grow. Expect excellent yields In a short 60
days. These out performed my best looking bell peppers in 2018. Although fruit is smaller than a large bell, these
plants sure put out a lot of good size peppers. Totally Tomato
Gypsy - Early, Cone - (yellow-orange-red)
Added 2019. Wedge-shaped fruit is 3 to 5 inches long. Grows pale yellow and matures orange-red. Expect this
plant to perform well in hot and cool regions. Quick fruit at 60 days. This one should be a colorful sweet pepper
(without the wait) that will outperform the bells, in a bit smaller package. Tomato Growers
BELL - Striped Candy Cane (** SEED CHARGE + 0.50)
Early maturing means early and “lots of ‘em” with this hybrid. Fun garden addition with these variegated plants sporting the attractiveness of an ornamental. Then, they give you striped, variegated fruit to boot. You can pick them at the green and white striped stage or the red and white stage. Thin fruit is much like that of a smaller bell pepper but will come to a tapered end. Productivity+uniqueness will make this one of your favorites.60 days.
Source: Totally Tomato
Bell (green) - Big Bertha
We’ve grown this hybrid and they have been pretty and huge! These are mostly 4-lobed, green fruits that can mature up to a full 7” long by 3-1/2” across. These will turn deep green to red. Plants will continue to produce all season. Resists Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Plants grow 25” to 30” tall. 70 days.
 (From the garden of Melissa and Darren, Walnut Ridge, AR)
BELL (green)- Goliath
This plant will be a reliable producer of 4” by 7” thick-walled bells with full 4 lobes. If you have had trouble growing bell peppers in the past, know you will not have any trouble with this one. 71 days.
BELL - Early Sunsation (green to yellow)
Added 2019. Large blocky bell peppers mature green in 70 days. Fruits turn extra sweet and golden yellow in 2
more weeks. Peppers are about 4.5” long and almost as wide. Plants are tolerant to most pepper virus diseases and 3 races of bacterial spot. Tomato Growers
BELL - Chablis (ivory - orange - red)
Early maturing means early rewards with this hybrid. Blocky bells measure 4” by 3” on plants 18-24” tall. Fruits are weighty and thick walled. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Bacterial Leaf Spot. These grow from ivory to orange to red. 60 days.
Totally Tomato
BELL - Chocolate Beauty
Medium large sweet 3-4 lobed fruits mature from green to an attractive chocolate color. 67 days to green, 85-88 to chocolate.
Source: Tomato Growers
Tricked You Jalapeno
This is an improved version of the of the Fooled You Jalapeno. I have grown the Fooled You for many years for folks that love the flavor but cannot take any heat. Our garden had the first Fooled You this year. They were full of jalapeno flavor…with zero heat! It was not lacking in flavor. I think it tasted more like a jalapeno than those with the heat. I could see all my garden peppers being this type. Easy to grow. 4” long. You should probably keep them marked and separate from any real jalapenos. I would not want to mistakenly snack on anything but these Tricked You! Seed source: “great for combining with hot jalapenos to customize the level of heat in homemade salsa and hot sauce.” 90 days
Source: Totally Tomato
SWEET - Lesya sweet pepper (** SEED CHARGE + 0.50)
These are heart shaped! When red they resemble strawberries. When cut they look like heart shaped dishes for stuffing. They are said to be juicy, thick-walled, and the sweetest of all peppers. Easy to grow, medium size fruit are stocky and high yielding. These are very popular in online reviews. 75 days. Rare Seeds
Jimmy Nardello - FRYING PEPPER
2015 addition. Long, thin-skinned frying pepper dries easily. It has been placed in the “Ark of Taste” by the Slow Food organization. As this pepper’s story goes: This fine Italian pepper was grown each year by Giuseppe and Angella Nardiello, at their garden in the village of Ruoti, in Southern Italy. In 1887 they set sail with their one-year-old daughter Anna for a new life in the USA. When they reached these shores, they settled and gardened in Naugatuck, Connecticut, and grew this same pepper that was named for their fourth son Jimmy.
Shishito - APPETIZER/FRYING PEPPER
These are a long-time favorite variety in Japanese markets.
The buzz of this "gourmet" pepper came to me from Martha Stewart’s website.
If you like the Padron pepper for its frying attributes (see the Padron description for cooking instructions), but don’t want the heat, this is a must have variety. Fruits of the Shishito are larger than the Padrons, measuring 1” wide and 3” to 5” long. Shiny green fruits are crisp and thin. They can be eaten raw or cooked. You will find them to taste between that of a bell pepper and a mild chili pepper.
** PADRON PEPPER - NO HEAT IF PICKED EARLY - see description under the “Hot Peppers”
** ORNAMENTAL PEPPERS - CHECK THEM OUT
We have Bolivian Purple Rainbow. Most people who grow them, do so for their cool APPEARANCE. Beware, though, they would be VERY HOT if EATEN...hence, their description can be found under ‘Hot Peppers.’
(MILD TO FLAMING) HOT PEPPERS
Padron - APPETIZER/FRYING PEPPER
This was a favorite sample from 2009 and made our list in 2010. This one has NO heat if picked very small at around an inch long...the size of a large olive. A little longer...you can expect some wonderful fine MILD flavor in this pepper. Beyond, that...they are SCORCHING! This truly can be a pepper for the WHOLE family!!!! Fry them in olive oil, blistering one side (both sides if it is a large one), then turn over, add sea salt and eat. Less than an inch, eat like popcorn. These are also known as tapas when served this way. As the plant carried different sized peppers (some big ones that escaped my prior picking) on a given picking/frying day...my husband would start eating the big ones on the plate, as I would start eating the smallest ones first. We will plant several for ourselves this year, as one plant just didn’t supply them near as quick as we could eat them. Makes a very spicy paprika if ripened and dried. 55 days.
Paprika, Papri Plus
These are a new paprika option, replacing our Alma Paprika. The hope was to find a larger fruit. These average 6” long, 1-1/2” wide. Fruit has almost no heat and can be eaten fresh or dried. Letting them ripen to red before drying will give them the optimum paprika flavor. Simply cut the peppers in half to remove the seeds, allow to dry, and break into small pieces for grinding. 82-85 days to red. Tomato Growers
Mexibell - mild chili flavor (green-chocolate-red)
Described as a “bell pepper with a mild chili flavor.” Three to four lobed fruit is short, squat, and plump. Ripens from green to chocolate to red but can be eaten at any time. Tolerant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
POBLANO
With just 500 scovilles, you will get a little heat in your dishes, but most can still enjoy. This is a quick producer of peppers that are 6-7 inches long and 3 inches wide. Use green for fresh poblano use or allow to ripen red and dry for later ancho use. 68 days.
Banana - Yellow Wax, Mild
We found this mild banana in 2009. It is the “Alainia, not-so-hot!” type for my mom. If you like a hot one, please try the Inferno Hot Banana (below) instead. Early, prolific, yellow pepper 2 inches wide and 5 to 8 inches long.
Banana - Inferno, Hot
Early high yielder produces big, 8” by 1-1/2” fruits with outstanding flavor - they have outstanding flavor, however, it is very hot compared to most hot bananas. Matures yellow to red. 60 days.
Banana - Wenk’s Yellow Hot - JALAPENO heat
This heirloom pepper looks like a yellow banana, but it is just as hot as an average jalapeno! Many customers refer to these as our Yellow Jalapenos so this is how we are going to list them. You will find that they have the very flavorful banana taste, but in a HOT way. Fruit is a pearlescent yellow color that matures to orange, then red. Thick waxy walled fruit used pickled, cooked or pureed into the pepper vinegar often found on sauerkraut and other PA Dutch dishes. Widely appreciated for its heritage and wonderful distinct flavor. 105 days.
Chili - Big Jim
Added 2019. Medium hot fruit with a scoville rating of 500 to 2,000. Released by New Mexico State
University. Sturdy 24-36” plants yield 24-30 pods per plant which tend to ripen all at the same time. Fruits measure 10-12” long and weigh up to 4 oz. 75-80 days. Totally Tomato
Cayenne - Thick Red, Hot
These long, slightly wrinkled, very hot peppers are especially good for pickles, canning and drying. Brilliant, fiery red peppers. Excellent for chili and homemade salsa. Two-celled fruits start out dark green, and then ripen to a bright red color. We are pretty proud of these as they can produce huge thick peppers about 10” long. 72 days.
(From the garden of Melissa and Darren, Walnut Ridge, AR)
Cayenne - Golden Yellow
Added 2014, I thought we would try this yellow maturing cayenne, to compliment the red we have had for so long. Plants are more compact and are only to reach 2 feet.
Source and picture: RareSeeds.com
Jalapeno - Goliath
Expect 3000 to 5000 scovilles. Thick-walled fruits, about 2” wide, 5” long, mature from green to red. If you can stand the heat, you will be pleased at the size and production of this one!!! 65 days.
JALAPENO - Purple
Added 2014. As in many reviews of peppers, heat varies...this has a lot to do with the length of time it is on the plant, whereas the size and color more so related to the conditions. Some are calling this one mild, while others are saying it has plenty of heat, and a great jalapeno taste. Seriously...it is purple...!!!! Although the actual reviews are inconsistent, they are all giving this one five stars. It must be productive and worth a try. 75 days.
Source and picture: RareSeeds.com
Fish - VARIEGATED Hot PEPPER
An heirloom considered by many to be the best variety to use when cooking fish and shellfish. Plants grow 18” to 24” with decorative green and purple foliage splashed with white variegation. High yields of very hot, pointed fruits, about 1 1/2” long. The colors range from white fruit with green stripes to orange with brown stripes. You can also get some brilliant reds and some deep purples too. We like these as they are a nice size for a hot pepper. They were great for seasoning in the kitchen in just the right portion. 90 days
Tabasco
Finally! Everyone requesting Tabasco will be glad I finally added it. This variety is originally from Mexico, and best known for its heat in Louisiana’s hot sauce. 2” fruit grows light yellow-green and matures a fiery red. This is the only chili pepper variety that is juicy on the inside. Fruit is most commonly used in Tabasco sauce and peppered vinegar. Tomato Growers
Habanera - Chocolate
I had some requests for habanera, so I thought we’d grow a unique color. Seed company promises very high yields of crunchy, 2-1/2” fruits with velvety brown inside and out. Of course, this one is extremely hot, but is supposed to be flavorful as well. I believe these are large compared to a typical habanera pepper. Seed company states I will get the right ‘kick’ in stir-fry, salsas, and sauces...Ha! I can’t even take my coffee hot! 85 days
Bhut Jolokia
This pepper is also known as Ghost Chile. It measures over one million scovilles and is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the hottest in the world. These orange-red peppers growing to be 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” long, can be used to spice up dishes but should be used with extreme caution. We first grew them in 2011. I was surprised to see that people did actually like them and eat them...way too hot for TomatoGirl. The seeds are more expensive and the plant is slower growing, so there is a larger price on this plant. 80-85 days.
Trinidad Scorpion (**EXTRA CHARGE + $2.00)
This one is for all those crazy heat loving people...you know you are crazy...this is the new record holder for heat, 1.2 million scovilles. New Mexico Chile Institute rates this one hotter than the Bhut Jolokia...and evidently it is somewhat disputed by the crazies. I just think it looks really cool...90 days. (The seeds are more expensive and the plant is slower growing, resulting a larger price on this plant.)
Source and picture: Rare Seeds
ORNAMENTAL - Bolivian Purple Rainbow (** SEED CHARGE + 0.50)
One inch long cone-shaped peppers are very hot if eaten. Plants show varying colors of peppers all at the same time. Fruit starts purple, turning yellow, orange, then finally red. Most people growing this plant, grow it for its ornamental qualities. It is still even more unique in that it has 2-3’ tall dark purple foliage. People just like them
EGGPLANTS
Amadeo
New for 2025! If you have ever been out to our greenhouse, you know we TRY to convert you to an eggplant-lover. Seed source stated that this one is “most delicious” and a bold, “this is the eggplant you need”. What? Of course we are going to sing the song and seed many of these. (lots of sleep deprived, slap happy jokes don’t convert with the light of day... but feel free to sing along.) Bitter-free, rich oval fruits, 5” wide, 8” long. 65 days. Source: ParkSeed
Antigua (striped)
New for 2025! Long, medium-length white fruit with violet stripes. “Very mild” flavor. It is reallllly prettttttty! Check out the link: Tomato Growers
Aswad
So the seed company’s picture showed this HUGE eggplant that they promised was “incredibly delicious.” Apparently, it can get more than 3 lbs. Dark purple squat teardrop eggplant could yield some massive eggplant steaks. Supposedly tender, good for baking and grilling, yet heat tolerant and productive.
Source: Rare Seeds
Black Beauty
Ready in 80 days from setting of plants. Fruits are round to globe shaped, large when mature. Plants 2 to 2-1/2 feet tall. Tasty when picked young, about 5” long, and of glossy color. Best in rich, loose soils. Warm temps are needed to grow this crop.
Bride
Slender Asian type eggplant. We added these for their pretty, very pale lavender appearance. We have tried various white eggplant and found them too seedy, without flavor, or just too small. (PHH) This is very close to white, and our latest try. Mild fruit 8” long. 65 days.
Source: Tomato Growers
Fengyuan Purple
One of the longest Asian eggplant available at well over a foot long. Mild, not bitter with thin skin that would not need to be peeled. Easy to grow with abundant medium colored purple fruit. Great for grilling or stir fries. 65 days.
Source: Tomato Growers
Millionaire
Description of this seed says you will “feel like you’ve hit the jackpot” for this one’s extra early maturity and high productivity. Deep purple, slender fruit, 8 inches long. Japanese variety is tender and delicious with a minimal seed cavity. 54 days.
Mitoyo
The seed description said all the right things! They are dark purple, large, tender, bitter-free, creamy. Native from Japan, the source says it is one of the best-tasting eggplants. Later season eggplant with good production of very large fruit. 90 days Rare Seeds
Nagasaki
Dark purple long Japanese fruit. This is said to be never-bitter, mild, and sweet enough to eat raw. Prolific, tender, and creamy. It has good 5 star reviews. Rare Seeds
Orient Express
Slender 8-10” Asian long eggplant. Versatile eggplant for grilling, roasting, or stir fries with thin skin, mild flesh, delicate flavor. This hybrid has been bred to tolerate a wide range of temperatures making it a long season plant in anyone’s garden. Fruit matures very quickly at 58 days.
Tomato Growers
Pingtung Long
This eggplant is named after its town of origin in Taiwan. Plant has the ability to thrive and produce continuous, large harvests despite summer heat and humidity. Slender, violet-purple eggplant become at least 12” long. Tender flesh is mild and non-bitter. Excellent for slicing in Oriental or other dishes. If you don’t typically like eggplant (as many have that bitter bite) give this one a try. I describe it to others as being mild like squash but with an eggplant flavor. 65 days.
Rosa Bianca
Tear drop shaped Italian fruit is white with soft lavender streaks outside and white, bitter-free flesh inside. Good for slicing, stuffing, or any eggplant use. Several suppliers spoke highly of it., 75 days.
Rosita
Large tear drop shaped fruits become 8-9” long and about 4” wide. This is a pinkish-lavender colored eggplant compared to other light purple colored. White, mild, eggplant developed in Puerto Rico in the 1940’s. 70 days.
Round Mauve
We grew these about 10 years ago. I wasn’t as crazy for eggplant then, so I am not sure of the taste... they are a beautiful mauve in the sources’ website picture... go on and look! They have a short, squat appearance like a beefsteak tomato, approximately 4”. Source reports that these are mild and early with great productivity. 65 days.
Source: Tomato Growers
BASIL
Genovese Italiano Classico
We tried this one for the first time in 2010. “True pesto basil” most commonly used fresh, but also a good all-purpose basil. Imported from Italy. 68 days.
Lemon
We have had the lime basil for some time which I love.. now finally, I found the LEMON. I expect it to smell and taste lovely!
Rare Seeds
Lime Basil
Grows in a loose, mounding habit to 12” tall. Leaves are a slender, 1-1/2” long. Hmmm...wonder how it would taste in a Bloody Mary?
Purple Ruffles
New for 2025! Purple basil but ruffly.
Sweet Basil
Plants grow 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall. Indispensable for seasoning tomato sauce. Use fresh or dry in soups, stews, with vegetables, eggs, and meats.
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