Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden
Jalapeno Early Chilli
- Regular price
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£1.99 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£1.99
The Early Jalapeño is a specific, fast-maturing cultivar of Capsicum annuum, the most widely cultivated chilli species globally. While the original Jalapeño traces its roots to Xalapa, Mexico, the 'Early' varieties are the result of deliberate selective breeding by horticulturists. Their goal is to develop strains that reach maturity sooner, allowing gardeners in regions with shorter summers to achieve a fuller, more reliable crop. This makes it an excellent adaptation of a beloved classic, ensuring that its iconic flavour and heat can be enjoyed even when the growing window is more limited.
The Early Jalapeño is a relatively easy-to-grow and high-yielding plant, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
| Quantity of Seeds | 10 seeds per packet |
| Origin | Xalapa (formerly spelled Jalapa), the capital city of Veracruz, Mexico |
| Genus | Capsicum annuum |
| Scoville Rating/Heat Level | The Early Jalapeño delivers the familiar, satisfying heat that makes Jalapeños so popular. It typically registers between 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This places it firmly in the mild to medium category, offering a pleasant and noticeable warmth without being overwhelming. As with all Jalapeños, removing the white pith (placenta) and seeds can reduce the pungency for a milder experience. Its approachable heat makes it perfect for adding a gentle kick to dishes that even those sensitive to spice can often enjoy. |
| Plant Size | The Early Jalapeño plant is a sturdy, compact, and highly productive grower, generally reaching a height of 60-80 cm (24-32 inches). It develops a bushy habit and is designed to set fruit quickly and abundantly. |
| Pod Size | The pods are the quintessential Jalapeño: thick-walled, firm, and cylindrical, typically measuring 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) in length and 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 inches) in diameter, with a blunt, rounded end. They start as a glossy dark green and, if left to fully mature, ripen to a vibrant, deep red. The key advantage is their quicker ripening time, allowing for earlier picking of the green pods or a longer window for them to turn red. |
| Flavour | The Early Jalapeño boasts the classic, fresh, and highly versatile Jalapeño flavour. It has a bright, slightly grassy, and tangy taste with a signature "green pepper" aroma. When fully ripe red, a subtle sweetness emerges, complementing its heat. Its thick, juicy walls provide a satisfying crunch. This makes it incredibly versatile: it's ideal for slicing fresh into nachos, tacos, and sandwiches, dicing into salsas and relishes, stuffing for jalapeño poppers, or pickling. It's also excellent for adding a fresh, zesty kick to stews, chilis, and scrambled eggs. |
| Growing Conditions |
Use a light, well-draining seed-starting mix. Sow seeds ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep. Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost date. Optimal soil temperature: 26–32°C (80–90°F); using a heat mat is strongly recommended for Capsicum chinense varieties. Maintain high humidity by covering trays with a plastic dome or plastic wrap. Provide 12–16 hours of light per day, ideally with grow lights. Transplant seedlings outdoors when they have 4–6 true leaves and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 15°C (59°F). Harden plants off for 7–10 days before moving them outside. Space plants 50–60 cm (20–24 inches) apart in rows 70–90 cm (28–36 inches) apart. Feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or switch to a high-potassium fertilizer once plants begin to flower and set fruit. |
All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.
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