Ladybugs, ladybug larvae and lacewing larvae are my aphid killing crew, and all turn up in my yard naturally as soon as the weather warms up.
Aphid wasps are also great if you can attract them, or can be purchased online.
Another vote for SAFI red here too. One of my absolute favourite red pods.
Congo red is another good one, and has an aroma that'll fill up the whole house.
Possibly. All depends what works out to be the cheapest. Need to save money for the baby stuff we'll need.
That said, I loved the Berger mix as well. Drained extremely well which was awesome considering how wet it was here last summer.
I haven't seen any Fox Farms products at my local Walmarts before, but I know the local nursery I frequent started carrying it so may have to check it out. Just in time for seed starting too.
I've been growing them for a few years now after being introduced to them by windchicken. An absolute must grow for me. Flavour is amazing, heat is generally not too bad. Most years for me have seen them closer to bonda ma Jacques heat than 7 pot level (although both myself and Gary found them...
I learned that trick a couple years ago and it's easily the best way for me to deal with them. A quick stroll around the garden at night with a pair of scissors and the blacklight and they don't have a chance.
Definitely not a bonnet, though I'm not sure exactly what it is. Looks to be an annuum variety, so not even the same species as bonnets. Looks similar to the Bonnie plants "lunchbox orange" my wife wanted me to grow for her this year.