Pepper Seeds - Hot - Padron
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70-79 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Padron Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual,,, open-pollinated, heirloom,, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot-type pepper with mild heat levels. 500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Most of the peppers are relatively mild but an occasional unpredictable hot one led a New York Times writer to call eating the dish a game of "Spanish Roulette!" ~5,000 seeds/oz.
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Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF (opens in a new tab) 
Growing Padron Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
To grow your peppers, prepare your seed starting trays and plant the seeds. Start the process about 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant the seeds in either a well-draining soil or in a seed starting mix like Minute Soil Coco Clair. The pH of the soil should be about 6.5. Plant the seeds about 0.25 inches deep. Try to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can check whether you need to water your plants by sticking your finger into the soil - if it feels dry, then give your plants some water, but make sure not to overwater. If the soil looks wet, then wait for it to dry out a bit before you water your plants next. Keep your peppers in a warm spot, ideally between 80-90 F, and if it's a bit chilly, a grow light can be a great help for helping your seeds germinate. Once those seedlings pop up, usually in about 7-10 days, expose them to some cooler air before moving them outside! Plant the rows about 2-3 feet apart, and plant individual plants about 12-18 inches apart. Dig a hole and make sure the roots are covered completely!
Keep a close eye on your peppers throughout the growing process to make sure they are healthy and growing correctly! You should be watering them consistently. The soil should be moist beneath the surface, but make sure not to overwater them. You can stick your finger in the soil to see how the moisture levels are beneath the surface. You can sprinkle some mulch around the base of the plant to keep the moisture in and suppress any weeds. You can also try adding a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus and calcium to provide essential nutrients to your peppers. If your plants get especially tall, you may need to give them some support with a trellis or cage to support the weight of the fruit. You can also try companion planting - plant some marigolds and basil alongside your peppers to attract pollinators and keep the pests at bay.
Harvesting Padron Peppers
Make sure you’re keeping a close eye on your peppers so you can harvest the fruit right when it turns ripe. These peppers are ripe about 75 days after they’re transplanted. They will be bright green or red, feel firm, and be about 4 inches long. Because this is a hot variety, you can also harvest them before they’re fully ripe. To harvest the peppers, use garden shears or a clean knife and cut the stem a little above the fruit. Be gentle so not to damage the plant so it can keep producing fruit. Always wear gloves and wash your hands immediately after harvesting hot peppers. Store the peppers in a cool, dry spot.
About Padron Pepper Garden Seeds
Padron peppers are an authentic regional variety.
These peppers are great for pickling. As they get more red, their heat intensifies.
These peppers grow well in greenhouses, garden beds, and raised beds.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Most of the peppers are relatively mild but an occasional unpredictable hot one led a New York Times writer to call eating the dish a game of ‘Spanish Roulette!’"
Other Resources
Padron Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 300 mg packet - Approximately 50 Seeds
- .25 oz - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Padron Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping (opens in a new tab) on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Padron Pepper Color: | Red, Green |
| Padron Pepper Flavor: | Heat increases as pepper ripens to red. |
Growing Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-79 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12 to 18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24 to 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes Start Indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Pepper Type: | Hot - These peppers all have some heat and usually rank at least 100, but usually 500 or more on the Scoville scale and have heat ranging from mild to extremely hot. |
| Plant Width: | 12 to 18 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 500 to 2,500 |
| Heat Level: | Mild - 100 to 2,500 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Poblano Ancho or Pepperoncini |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 61 to 75 days from transplant. |
| Pests and Diseases: | Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Pepper Use: | Also fine for pickled peppers; the heat increases as they ripen to red. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |
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