Gardening for Cajun cooking.
Gardening for Cajun cooking
Peppers
  • Ace- bell,red,Earliest ripening; thin walls
  • Ariane -bell,orange,Sweetest bell; big and blocky
  • banana- banana,red,very prolific;yellow when young
  • Big Bertha- bell,red,Biggest bell
  • Big chile- new mexican red very large, mild
  • Cayenne-hot, red, used in more dishes
  • Chimayo- new mexican, red,Cultivated for 400 years.
  • Fiesta- ornamental,red,yellow,orange
  • Jalapeno -hot,green,Hot pepper for flavoring
  • Red savina- habanero,red, World's hottest pepper
  • Senorita- jalapeno,red mildest, jalapeno
    Growing Peppers
    Seed starting: Start pepper seeds indoors 2 months before setting the plants out into the garden
    . Plant the seeds one-eighth inch deep in a premoistened pot.
    At 85 degrees(ideal temp for peppers) the seeds should sprout ina seek or so.
    Set the containers beneath a four tube fluorescent shop light
    so that the tops are only about an ince below the lights
    . Every 3-4 weeks, feed with fish emulsion(check with local nursery)
    Planting:
    When outdoor daytime temps are in the 60's,
    begin to harden off the seedlings by setting them outside gradually
    for longer periods of time each day for 7- 10 days
    .When nighttime temps reach 60's plant the peppers a foot apart.
    Peppers prefer rich, loamy soil.
    If you have sandy, or clay soil, add compost or other organic matter before planting for best results.
    See that peppers recieve at least 1 inch of water per week throughout the season.

    Food:
    Potassium and phosphorus are important for flowering and
    fruiting but be careful about adding too much nitrogen.
    Use the ones recommended for Tomatoes with a low nitrogen ration such as 1-3-3.
    If a soil test shows you need to add calcium
    and also need to raise the soil's pH, add some limestone;
    if you need to add calcium but don't want to affect pH, use gypsum.
    Enjoy!

    Herbs
  • Basil- Full sun,pH 5.5,rich mosit soil, flowers in mid summer
  • Bay leaves-,sweet-Full sun to partial shade,6.0, rich soil, flowers in Spring
  • Chives-Full Sun,6.0,rich soil, flowers in June
  • Coffee- Full Sun,6.0,humusy soil, Flowers in Late spring
  • Garlic- Full Sun to partial shade, ph 4.5-8.3, Humusy Soil, Flowers in Early summer
  • Mint- Full sun or partial shade, 6.0 pH,Rich soil, Flowers in July-August
  • Oregano- Full sun to light shade, 6.0 pH, Average soil, flowers in July-sept.
  • Parsley- Full sun to partial shade,pH 5.5, Moderate soil, flowers in Early spring of second year.
  • Rosemary- Full sun to partial shade, 6.0 pH,Light soil, flowers in Early Spring.
  • Thyme -Full sun to partial shade, 6.0,Sandy soil, flowers in Midsummer.
    Growing Herbs
    Growing herbs requires patience.
    The first year you may not see, exactly what you expected.
    However, don't be discouraged, over time your crop will
    begin to develop and you will know your herbs and what they require.
    It is a great feeling to go out to your Herb garden,
    pick what you need, wash it, and cook with it.
    It is also fun to compare the amount of money you have saved by growing your own.
    Most cookbooks will tell you how to use your herbs.
    These are the most common ones that flourish in Zones 8-9.
    I hope you enjoy your herb garden.
    Links to other Pepper Sites
    Tabasco.com
    Chili Gazette
    Jalepeno Cafe
    CyberSauce
    Chili Net
    Chilihead Homepage
    The Pepper King
    The Virtual GardenEnter you Zip code, and find info about your growing zone!

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