Pepper Barker

Description
Botanical Name: 
Capsicum frutescens

Native to New Mexico. Ripens red and has a pungent heat that makes it still the most popular heirloom pepper of New Mexico, and perhaps the hottest. Pods are 5 to 7 inches in length to 1 to 2 inches in width. Ripens from green to red. Use for Chile rellenos, roasting. canning, and processing.

Plant Characteristics
Plant Category: 
Herbs & Vegetables
Name: 
Pepper Barker
Plant Type: 
Pepper
Mature Size: 
2' to 2 1/2'
Water: 
Moderate
Exposure:: 
Full sun
Spacing: 
24"
Soil Type: 
Clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline; well drained
Planting Time: 
April to October
Comments
Comments: 

A vegetable native to South America, that grows into attractive bushy plants. Plant outside after last frost or April 15th. Space 1 ½ to 1’ apart. Dig hole 2-3 times larger than root ball. Mix in ¼ to 1/3 compost, backfill, press lightly and water deeply. After a few weeks, before blossoms appear, give the plant ¼ to ½ cup organic vegetable fertilizer. Water deeply and thoroughly and do not allow to dry completely. Too little water will cause “dog - tail” or curled misshapen peppers.
 
To harvest snip the stems with scissors or clippers