Name:
The Great Jalapeno Experiment
When you are breaking new ground (such as homesteading for the first time) it gives you the license to experiment with things to find out what works and what doesn’t. I’m sure that today’s experiment will not go down in the annals of history as being one of our best and it will certainly not be our last, but it is a homestead experiment nonetheless.
While John cut up a respectable batch of jalapeno, serrano and poblano peppers this morning I had one of those moments that hit so many gardeners. So many seeds were being scooped away destined to certain death and the simple truth is that I just don’t have the room to start pepper seedlings indoors just yet. Then it hit me.
I didn’t get the nickname “the garden rockstar” by following the rules, right? Then and there I concocted a plan that is destined for failure that it just might work.
In an area of the yard where a small tree stump remains, I used a shovel to break up a few inches of soil. I didn’t put much effort into this, mind you.
Next I spread the pepper seeds, ends and membranes over the area in a layer. That’s right, I dumped it all in there; didn’t even waste time scooping the seeds away. I’m a bad, bad boy.
Finally I used some rich, dark potting mix that has been sitting in the bottom of a planting pot outside all year to cover the seeds. Now all that’s left is to sit back and see what happens after the spring thaw.
In case you’re wondering why this was considered breaking the rules,
- you are supposed to dry pepper seeds before planting
- you are not supposed to sow peppers outdoors until after the last freeze of winter
- you are not supposed to reuse old potting soil, especially when it is still frozen.
- you are not supposed to plant peppers when it will be snowing 1-2” that night.
I’m not sure if I really think this is a good idea or if I just want it to work so badly because I want to blow raspberries in the faces of anyone who tells me it isn’t a good idea. Either way, if any of these jalapeno pepper seeds germinate we will pot up the seedlings and give all but a few away.
I mean seriously, what the hell do we need with a hundred jalapeno pepper plants?
This is cool…. I’m totally following your experiment to see how this turns out. Sometimes you just gotta break the ‘rules’.
I’m going to be a garden rebel too and give it a shot.
DO IT! We can be rockstars together!
I’ve been doing it all my life, Bren. I am reminded of a favorite quote from “Delores Claiborne” that went something like this: “sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hold onto.” That’s me: Michael Nolan, Garden Bitch.