New Mexican chile pepper plants produce abundant crops of mild chile peppers that are 5-7 inches long and up to two inches wide. They turn from green to red as they ripen and can be used fresh for salads, stuffing, in salsa or in any other way mild chile peppers are used. New Mexican chile peppers can also be dried for preservation and later reconstituted in warm liquid, or toasted and ground into a fine chili powder. Our New Mexican chile pepper seeds produce beautiful peppers plants that are a lovely addition to any gardener's vegetable patch.

 

New Mexican chile pepper plants are easy to grow once established.

 

These chiles are a cross between Mirasol and Californian chiles. New Mexican chile peppers are medium in heat compared to other chile peppers, approximately seven inches long, 1-1/2 inches wide at the top and this sometimes crooked pepper tapers to a point at the bottom. When ripe, New Mexican peppers turn from a bright green to a rich red color with smooth skin. They can be picked and eaten fresh when both green and red, or dried and ground into a fine chile powder that has a hint of sweetness without any bitterness. The New Mexican chile peppers ability to easily be dried and then later added to all kinds of sauces and other cooked foods has made it a favorite among chefs as was as chile pepper growers.

Chili Peppers:

Plant New Mexican chile pepper seeds indoors in temperate climates at least eight weeks before the outdoor planting date. Approximately 1-2 weeks after your areas frost free date. (mid to late May in Northern Illinois where we are) The New Mexican chile seeds should be sown 1/4 in deep and kept moist, but not wet. The seeds should also be kept in a warm place to promote germination.

If your home is cool or drafty a seed mate available at nurseries or a heating pad on low can be placed underneath the containers with the New Mexican chile pepper seeds to make sure they remain warm. Remember, these are tropical plants that require warm, moist conditions to sprout. Germination should occur is 10-20 days, possible longer if conditions are less than ideal. Do not allow the soil to dry completely out during this time because doing so will cause seeds in the process of germination to die.

If you started more than one seed in each pot thin them to one plant each leaving the strongest looking plant. 4-6 inch plants are ideal for transplanting outside to your garden. New Mexican chile plants should be set in full sun in well draining soil 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart. This is ideal placing so if you have limited space in your garden as I do, they can be placed a bit closer and still do well.

Once well established and the weather is warm the New Mexican chile pepper plants should be mulch with untreated grass clips or another organic material and watered well during dry weather. The New Mexican chile peppers should start to ripen about 75 days after transplant. There is no reason to wait that long, these spicy peppers can be picked and eaten while still green and immature. I always do!

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