Chimayo del Norte Pepper

Pepper seed requires heat to germinate. Sow by late March; they mature later in the season than tomatoes, and to get a good crop of ripe peppers requires an early start. Sow peppers about a quarter-inch deep in soil blocks or plug trays. Give them a good ten to fourteen days to germinate before thinking of giving up on them. Once up, peppers grow quite slowly when young and, again, require warmth to grow quickly. Peppers should not be transplanted until the weather is settled, usually about two weeks after tomatoes go in. Space them about 18" apart. Harvest when fruit turns red. They can be roasted and peeled or, for the most traditional use, dry them in a ristra and then either powder them or rehydrate and blend them for use in sauces and more.