Looking to spice up your garden with peppers? Anaheim peppers are a great choice. They have a moderate heat level, between 500-2,500 on the Scoville scale. These peppers are favorites among gardeners and chefs. They’re a bit spicier than poblanos but less spicy than jalapeños. Ready to learn how to grow them?
Introduction to Anaheim Peppers
What are Anaheim Peppers?
Anaheim peppers are a kind of pepper known for their mild to moderate spiciness. They are in the Capsicum annum ‘Anaheim’ family. This group is part of the Capsicum kind, known for including chili peppers.
On the Scoville scale, Anaheim peppers rate between 500 and 5,000 units. They’re hotter than sweet bell peppers but cooler than jalapeños. There’s also a type called the Hatch chile, which can be spicier, with up to 8,000 heat units.
Origins and Botanical Information
Farmer Emilio Ortega created the Anaheim pepper in the early 1900s. He brought seeds from New Mexico to Anaheim, California. This is how the mild, green pepper came to be. The Anaheim pepper is a perennial that’s part of the nightshade family. It’s native to the Americas and the Caribbean. They thrive in Zones 11–12, growing up to 5 feet high.
“Anaheim peppers, also known as ‘New Mexico chilies,’ are a versatile and flavorful addition to many Southwestern and Mexican-inspired dishes.”
Most Anaheim peppers are sold when they’re fresh and green. However, they can change to a dark red when ripe. This is when they are called Chile Colorado. Dried Anaheim peppers are known as chile seco del norte. When fresh, you can store them at room temperature for up to a week. The best way to cook them is to grill them
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Anaheim peppers are classified as having medium heat, with a Scoville Heat range of 500 to 2500.
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Anaheim pepper plants typically mature between 74 to 80 days after planting.
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The fruit size of Anaheim peppers is approximately 8 inches long.
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Anaheim pepper plants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart when planting.
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Anaheim peppers grow best in full sun.
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The pot volume recommended for Anaheim pepper starter plants is 19.3 fl oz.
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Anaheim peppers are categorized as perennial plants.
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The SKU for Anaheim peppers is 117430.
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Anaheim peppers grow well in temperatures where nighttime temperatures are not higher than 90 degrees.
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Anaheim peppers are commonly used for dishes such as chiles rellenos, soups, and stews.
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Anaheim peppers are known for being disease-resistant.
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Anaheim peppers are widely grown and dried to create ristras, New Mexico's traditional dried pepper strings.
Choosing the Right Anaheim Pepper Variety
Looking to grow Anaheim peppers in your garden? You have many options, each with its special qualities. Anaheim peppers are also called California, New Mexico, Hatch, and Magdalena. They range from 500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units, which is mild to moderately hot5. These peppers take about 75–80 days to mature. They’re less spicy than jalapenos, which can hit 8,000 SHU.
‘Big Jim’ is a top choice among Anaheim peppers. It’s known for its big size and mild to medium heat, perfect for stuffing or grilling. ‘NuMex Heritage 6–4’ peppers are great for salsas and pickling because they’re all the same shape and size. ‘Joe Parker’ peppers stand out with medium heat and thick walls, ideal for roasting or in New Mexican dishes.
Popular Cultivars for Home Gardens
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Big Jim — Big Anaheim peppers that are mild to medium hot, suitable for stuffing or grilling.
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NuMex Heritage 6–4 — They’re uniform in shape and size, and great for salsas, sauces, and pickling.
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Joe Parker — These peppers have a medium heat and thick walls, perfect for drying, roasting, or in New Mexican recipes.
When picking Anaheim pepper types, think about how you’ll use them and your spice level preference. Be sure to space your plants well for better growth, since Anaheim plants bear lots of pods. You can keep Anaheim peppers for later by canning, freezing, drying, or making them into sauces.
Choose the best Anaheim pepper type for your garden, and enjoy the rich flavor and versatility they offer.
Planting Anaheim Peppers
Growing Anaheim peppers from seed is easy but can be slow. It takes about six weeks for seedlings to get big enough. You should start Anaheim pepper seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost in your area.
Put the seeds 1/4 inch deep in the seed-starting mix. Keep them in a warm, bright spot. The room temperature should be over 79°F. A seedling heat mat can help. When the seedlings have their first true leaves, move them to transplant outdoors. Do this after they get used to outside for 1–2 weeks.
Transplanting Outdoors
To transplant Anaheim peppers outside, wait until it’s warm. The weather should be over 60°F with no chance of frost. Pick a sunny spot with good, not soggy soil. Space the seedlings 18–24 inches apart, deeper than they were in the tray. Water them well and keep the soil just moist as they grow.
For great peppers outside, use the right tips. Care for them well and expect a good crop of these tasty, mild peppers.
“Anaheim peppers are relatively simple to grow from seed, although it can take up to six weeks or more for the seedlings to grow big enough to be transplanted outside.”
Growing Conditions for Anaheim Peppers
Soil Requirements
Anaheim peppers love soil that drains well and is full of nutrients. They do best in sandy loam with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. If your soil is imperfect, you can fix it by adding compost. This will make the soil better for the peppers. Avoid planting them where other nightshade plants have been. This can stop soil diseases from spreading.
Sunlight Needs
These peppers need 6 to 8 hours of sun every day to grow well. Find a spot that gets sun all day. Don’t plant them in the shade since it will make the plants weaker. In hot places, a little shade in the afternoon can help them from getting too hot. For greenhouse planting, make sure the air moves well to avoid too much humidity.
To grow Anaheim peppers successfully, give them good, well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. With the right conditions, your pepper harvest will be plentiful and tasty.
Anaheim Peppers Water and Fertilizer Needs
Anaheim peppers love moisture to grow well. They need about 1–2 inches of water a week. In pots, you’ll have to water them more often than in the ground.
To keep them just right, water the base, not the leaves. Adding compost to the soil helps the water drain and keeps the peppers healthy.
These peppers also like regular feeding. Begin with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer before planting. Then, use it every few weeks when they’re growing. Fish emulsion or compost tea are good organic choices.
For fertilizing, give them the right food when they need it. A mix like 5–10–10 is great. Use it every 1–2 months. Give more in the growing season and in hot places.
Follow these watering and feeding tips. This will help your Anaheim pepper plants grow strong and fruitful.
Conclusion
Growing your own Anaheim peppers can be very rewarding. Mastering the ways of planting, caring for, and harvesting them is key. This lets you enjoy their unique flavor in many dishes.
Anaheim peppers have a mild-to-medium heat, perfect for those who like a little kick. They’re full of vitamins and minerals like A, C, E, K1, potassium, and folate. This adds a nutritious boost to your meals.
FAQ
What are Anaheim peppers?
Anaheim peppers are mild chili peppers. They come from the Capsicum family. This family also includes red peppers. They are originally from the Americas and grow well in warm climates.
What are the key characteristics of Anaheim peppers?
Anaheim peppers are quite mild, scoring between 500 to 2500 on the spicy scale. This makes them spicier than sweet peppers but cooler than jalapeños. They grow in a bush shape, getting up to 5 feet high. You’ll recognize them by their 6–8 inch length and slender shape.
What are some popular Anaheim pepper cultivars?
Home gardeners often choose ‘Big Jim’ for its size and mild to medium heat. ‘NuMex Heritage 6–4’ is ideal for salsas and pickling because of its even size and shape. For those looking to dry or roast, ‘Joe Parker’ is a favorite with its medium heat and thick walls.
How do I grow Anaheim peppers from seed?
Start Anaheim peppers from seeds indoors, 6–8 weeks before the frost is gone. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in a special soil mix. Keep them in a warm, bright spot. When they have a few big leaves, they are ready to move outside. But, they need to get used to the outside world slowly.
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