Garden Guide for Zone 8b

Jalapeno

Jalapeno peppers are a festive and bountiful addition to any small space garden or container. They are medium-sized chili pepper pods type cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum. A mature jalapeno fruit is 5–10 cm long and hangs down with a round, firm, smooth flesh of 1–1.5 in wide. They are commonly picked and consumed while still green, but occasionally are allowed to fully ripen and turn crimson red.

Quick Info

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil
• Water: Regular watering, but do not overwater
• Light: Full sun
• Sowing Method: Indoor sowing
• Growing Days: 72

Sowing Months

Harvest Months

Planting Instructions

Planting Instructions: Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost date. The temperature must be at least 70° F for seed germination, so keep them in a warm area for the best results. Plant them 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-21 days.

Harvest Instructions

Harvest Instructions: Harvest when peppers are green or fully colored and firm. Harvesting must be done carefully. Cut the fruit from the plant with a garden scissors or pruner. Keep peppers picked to encourage more to form.