Spicy Mexican Fiesta
A Mexican garden filled with its many varieties of colorfully,
vibrant peppers will be one the most spectacular sights when in full
bloom. As peppers are generally a warm climate vegetable requiring
plenty of sunlight and long growing seasons of warm weather, these
gardens will thrive in the southern climates. Northerners should
not give up the idea of planting this extraordinary garden as long as
seeds are started indoors and transplanted well after the threat of
frost has passed.
You can grow an entire Mexican feast in a bed as small as
4'x4'. If you don't have the room for a garden gather a few
containers and plant yourself a salsa garden.
What to grow:
Tomatoes The main
ingredient of salsa, the cool, juiciness of tomatoes complements any
spicy meal. Sprinkled over tacos, burritos or enchiladas these
refreshing fruits cool down the hottest pepper.
 Cilantro Also
known as coriander this sweet herb with citrus undertones is added to
many Mexican dishes. The seeds can be cultivated to produce curry
powder. Cilantro is easy to grow and can be started outdoors from
seeds as soon as the threat of frost has passed.
Onions Added
to salsas and fajitas, onions are easy to grow and take up very little
garden space. Check your seed catalog to find out which varieties will
do best in your area.
Garlic
Garlic seems to be a favorite in most cooking regardless the ethnic
origins making a perfect addition to any garden. Easy to grow, one
garlic bulb broken into cloves can produce a garden full of garlic. The
harvested herb stays up to ten months.
 Jalapeno Peppers
Probably the most associated with Mexican cooking,
jalapeno peppers are
one of the hottest. A staple in salsa these peppers are also beautiful
dried and used decoratively in a wreath or wall hanging. Easy to grow,
these peppers should be started indoors and transplanted. 66 days to
develop.
Cayenne Peppers
You
hear cayenne pepper and you immediately think of Cajun. These peppers
have the hot kick needed to add heat to any dish. Best known for its
ground version in the spice aisle, these peppers requiring 72 days of
ripening, are very easy to grow and dry.
Habanera
Considered the hottest of all peppers this one is for the bravest of
heart...and tongue. Used in small quantities this pepper is delightful
having a unique flavor unlike any other pepper. This is one of the
longest maturing peppers and needs a full 95 days to develop. Good for
container gardening indoors or warmer climates.
Tabasco These
peppers have long been a favorite to spice up ethnic foods like Mexican
and Cajun. One drop of the sauce made from these tongue tinglers
will add zest to any dish. The pepper itself takes 90 days to
ripen so will usually not do well in the northern climates. Good
for zone 7 and south. If you have the right conditions these could
be planted in an indoor container garden.
 Sweet Banana A
pickling favorite, this
mild pepper is popular in salads and on
sandwiches. Fairly easy to grow this pepper develops in 72 days. Works
well in many climates if started indoors in the colder climates.
*Cilantro Gurney's Seed and Nursery
*Jalapeno Peppers Gurney's Seed and Nursery
*Banana Pepper Gurney's Seed and Nursery
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