Highalt's 2013 Grow - End of Season Wrap Up

I know some of you guys have already started seeds for next year's grow, and I should have started the Manzano's a month ago, but I am still working on finalizing the grow list.

Each year since I started growing peppers, the list has gotten bigger, and they have taken up a larger % of my vegetable growing space. I started working part-time 3 months ago, and I am a mother of three, so I am struggling with being realistic about how much time I can devote to pepper growing this coming season. Right now, I've got between 65 and 70 varieties on the list, and some of them I'd really like to have more than one plant. Last year, I ended up with about 50 varieties and a total of 75 plants. So you can see that I have some work to do before I start putting the seeds in the dirt!

I thought I would go ahead and put up my tentative list, and use the feedback I get from you guys to help me narrow things down a bit. Those of you that know me will notice that I still haven't gotten brave enough to add any supers yet ... maybe next year.

So here's what I got so far:

Annums
Alice's Favorite
Alma Paprika
Ancho Gigantia, and/or Ancho San Luis
Barker (NuMex)
Biker Billy Jalapeno
Black Hungarian
Cayenne Thick (Can't remember who it was that was raving about this one this past season, but I don't have seeds for this one yet.)
Chilhuacle Amarillo
Chocolate Cherry
Cochiti
Cosa Arrugada and/or Pepperoncini
Costeno Amarillo
Fish
Fresno
Georgia Flame
Goat's Weed
Golden Cayenne
Hungarian Hot Wax
Jaloro
Jamaican Hot Yellow (Anyone have a source for these? It's confusing to me that the Jamaican Hot Choc. is a Chinense, but this one is listed as an Anuum!)
Jimmy Nardello
Leutschauer Paprika
Lumbre
Mulato Isleno
NuMex Pinata
NuMex Vaquero
Patio Red Marconi
Pusztagold
Sandia
Sante Fe Grande
Serrano (Not sure which one. May try the purple one this year.)
Tangerine Pimento and/or Yummy
Tobasco (Need seeds for this one.)
Zapotec Jalapeno

Baccatums
Aji Chinchi Amarillo
Aji Yellow
Birgit's Locoto
Bishop's Crown (Don't actually have seeds for this one yet. If anyone has some, I'd be willing to trade for them.)
El Oro de Equador
Inca Red Drop
Lemon Drop (Maybe. Last time they were bitter. May try a difference source.)
Pimenta Barro do Robiero
Purple de Arbol and/or Negro de Arbol (Which one is better?)

Chinenses
Aji Dulce (type 1 or 2 ?) Is this the same as Rocotillo?
Aji Limo Rojo
Bonda ma Jacques (Don't have seeds for this one yet either. May just grow Gold Bullet or regular yellow habanero as a substitute?)
Cheiro Roxa
Habanero, Peach (and maybe the Pink as well)
Habanero, White (I have the regular white, and White Bullet. Is the Peruvian White better, or are they all about the same?)
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Purple Bhut (Okay, I don't have seeds for this one either. Maybe I'll substitute Condor's Beak if I can't find any.)
Scotch Bonnet Yellow (Have some labeled True Jamaican Scotch Bonnet. Should those be yellow? Or red?)

Pubescens (Yeah, I know I'm really too late on these, and probably won't get any ripe fruit this coming season)
Orange Manzano
Red Manzano
Yellow Manzano


Well, I think that's about it. I'm sure the list will change a few more times before it's a done deal, but at least it's a start!

So tell me what you think about the ones I have questions on, or let me know where to find seeds for the ones I'm missing, or tell me what I should have on the list and don't. Just kidding on that last one!!!

 

[DocNrock]

That jam looks incredible!
 
Thank you for the kind words about my drip system.  It was quite a bit of work, but I think I have already saved more than three times as much work by not having to water by hose daily. 

 

[stickman]

There won't be any pics today, due to the 30 + mph winds that have been blowing all day.   
 
Oh wait, I do have one pic I can post.
 

First canning project of the season = Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.  Not to brag, but that is deliciousness in a jar!
Think I have enough Rhubarb for one more batch, or maybe some Strawberry Rhubarb butter.

 
Geez, what a year... I was just hearing on NPR this morning that there are high winds predicted for the south and midwest that could reach 100 mph in places, and Tornado warnings along with it. Hope you've got the hatches battened down well Bonnie!
 
Your Strawberry/Rhubarb jam is definitely giving me ideas! I've got a few bags of frozen rhubarb from our plants this year and native Strawberries are just starting to come in here...

 

[MGOLD86]

Bonnie, you definitely know how to make the sweet stuff!  Hey, you can even make it hot! lol. 
 
How long does that typically keep for you? Unopened and opened. 

 

[WalkGood]

Nice job on da canning, been too long for me. With production low and eatting all I can produce it took me a few months to save up enough to dry out, hehehe ... great job!

 

[RocketMan]

Wow, miss your Glog for a period and there's some beautiful catch up to do. Peppers are looking good and the non's are beautiful. I loved the pic of the Sage. I'm planning a stair case herb garden for the new house. Of course that means i have to build it too
 
Your Jams are to die for Bonnie. When we lived in Washington State we grew all our own too and my sister was always making Strawberry Rhubarb Pies and Blackberry cobblers from the wild blackberries we had along the back fence line. 
 
Half way to the weekend, hope your rested up for it

 

[highalt]

That jam looks incredible!
 
Thank you for the kind words about my drip system.  It was quite a bit of work, but I think I have already saved more than three times as much work by not having to water by hose daily. 

 
I hear ya'!  Last year was the first time I had tried using soaker hoses down at the community garden.  Saved me at least 30 - 45 minutes a day hand watering everything, and with me working now, my time is stretched pretty thin..  The hoses burst late in the summer, but I'm still sold on them!  I'm trying a different kind this year.  Instead of the normal stiff soaker hose, I found one that's kind of like an inner tube covered in canvas.  It lays flat when not in use, and is more flexible.  Hoping they hold up better, since we aren't allowed to install permanent irrigation, this is as close as I can get.  The other thing I love about it is how much water it saves.  When you overhead water here, so much of it just runs off because the ground is so hard.  The soaker hoses put the water right at the plants roots, and because it is a slow trickle, hardly any of it runs off.
 

 
Geez, what a year... I was just hearing on NPR this morning that there are high winds predicted for the south and midwest that could reach 100 mph in places, and Tornado warnings along with it. Hope you've got the hatches battened down well Bonnie!
 
Your Strawberry/Rhubarb jam is definitely giving me ideas! I've got a few bags of frozen rhubarb from our plants this year and native Strawberries are just starting to come in here...

 
There was some more leaf loss yesterday, and my largest tomato plant at the house was laying on the ground by late afternoon.  The stem didn't appear broken though, so I just tied it to the t-post and watered it well.  Looked okay this morning.  I also ran the first line of twine for the Florida weave down at the community garden, so that should help support the plants.
 
Saw a post on Facebook yesterday that a local organic farm has pick-your-own strawberries on sale for $2.00/lb.  May have to get some and make one more batch of jam or butter.  I also saw a recipe for a Rhubarb Dump Cake that looked super easy and yummy that I just might have to try!
 

Bonnie, you definitely know how to make the sweet stuff!  Hey, you can even make it hot! lol. 
 
How long does that typically keep for you? Unopened and opened. 

 
I've always heard two years unopened if kept in a cool, dry location.  Once opened and in the refrigerator, I'm not sure.  At least a couple of months anyway.  I've never had any go bad before, so not sure ...
 

Nice job on da canning, been too long for me. With production low and eatting all I can produce it took me a few months to save up enough to dry out, hehehe ... great job!

 
Thanks, Ramon!  A lot of my canned stuff gets given to family and friends as gifts, which is why I have 80 pepper plants!  Well, that's my excuse anyway, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[stc3248]

You catching any of that crazy CO heat today??? Can't believe you guys are already recording triple digits in Denver. I know you're uphill and west of there, but what mid 90's for you? Hope you get a break in the wind. One thing is certain, any supers that set up there will be crazy hot!

 

[highalt]

The highest we've hit so far is 96, but the rest of the week isn't looking too bad low 90's today and tomorrow and then upper 80's over the weekend.  We still have red flag warnings in place though, due to the gusty winds and low humidity levels.  Been a good while since we've had any precipitation, and things are getting pretty crispy out there!
 
Now Shane, you know I don't do supers, but there is "The" Fatalii, the Scotch Bonnet, and a few habs out there that might have a little heat to them. 

 

[highalt]

No pics again today, since the wind has been gusting up to 35 mph for the past 4 hours.  I guess if I'm going to get anymore decent pics, it will have to be in the early morning before work, since that's the only time the winds are calm around here.  
 
The plants at the community garden seem to be adjusting to their environment now.  The bud and leaf drop has slowed, and I am starting to see new growth on some of the plants.  The plants here at the house still look pretty stressed.  I may try feeding them tomorrow to see if that will perk them up a bit.  The ones on the patio are probably the healthiest of all right now, since they are living the cushy life behind the 6' fence to protect them from all of the crazy winds.  
 
Sooo, here's some NON pepper pics ...
 

 
Key Lime Cookies for my sweetheart in honor of our ____ th anniversary.   
 
EDIT:
(Took these just now during a break in the wind)
 
Achillea 'Anthea' (yarrow)
 

 
Gaillardia 'Burgundy' with Penstemon pinifolius 'Compactum' in the background
 

 
Close up of Gaillardia 'Burgundy'
 

 
 
Gotta go!  Need to spend time with my Sweetie!!!

 

[GA Growhead]

Key Lime Cookies! yummm yumm yum!

 

[Devv]

Congratulations on your Anniversary!
 
Nice looking cookies, look yummy
 
I've been reading about the fires, hopefully they are far away!

 

[highalt]

The cookies were pretty tasty!  
 
Scott, all of the big fires are on the Front Range, which is on the eastern side of the state.  We are closer to the Western Slope.  There's a small fire in the next town over from us, but the winds aren't supposed to be as bad today, so they are thinking it will be contained sometime today.  Some rain would really help, but there is none in the foreseeable forecast.  I know so many of you are getting too much rain, but not getting enough has its own set of problems!
 
 Remembered the camera when I went to the community garden this morning.  Took a video, but it's 8 min. long, so don't blame anyone if they don't want to sit though it.   Oh, and Pia, I promise this one doesn't have any Black Widows in it!     Also, took a few still shots of pods.
 
COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE:
 
Video Update:

 
Ancho Gigantia
 
 

 
Bishop's Crown
 

 
Chilhuacle Negro
 

 
Lumbre
 

 
NOT Jamaican Hot Yellow
 

 
Overview of entire plot
 

 
'Toma Verde' Tomatillo
 

 

 
 
 
Yesterday, we celebrated our anniversary, today we are celebrating my youngest's 7th birthday, and Sunday is Father's Day.  Plus, I'm leading worship on Sunday, so it is looking like a busy weekend.  I'll try and stop by a few glogs, but I am already way behind!

 

[Devv]

Very nice! loving those pods!
 
I hear you about the lack of rain, usually it's bone dry here. We've been lucky this year with rain...a rare deal here.
 
Have a great weekend!

 

[highalt]

Hope I didn't speak too soon about those fires!  One just popped up over near Rifle Gap.
 

 

 
It's a good distance from where I live, but still you can see the smoke from my driveway.

 

[Devv]

Beautiful view Bonnie!
 
I can see how some wind can come through there though!
 
Watched your video, those babies will bush up nicely now that they have full sun...what are you feeding them?
 
I used a product that's probably not available where you are as it's produced in the next small town. it's called Hasta Gro 6-12-6. I mix it half strength with full strength sea weed juice. I'll hit each plant for a 7 count with a watering can twice a week...
 
Stay safe!

 

[highalt]

Yeah, the wind definitely comes through here!  There is a mountain ridge across from us, and the one you see in the photo is behind our house.  Both run west to east, so the wind just funnels between them.  I always put the plant supports on the east side of the plant, because 90% of the time the wind is moving west to east, and everything ends up leaning in that direction.
 
I actually haven't fed the plants since I put them in the ground.  Well, not the ones at the community garden anyway.  I bought a product called Peak Bloom that is made locally, and planned to use it as a soil drench once things went in the ground.  Up to that point I had been using Buddha Grow and CalMag.  Didn't get it done yesterday, too busy celebrating, but hoping to feed everything later today.
 
Okay, before anyone asks, NO I did not make this cake!!!  My husband has a personal chef friend that created this amazing work of art.  It looks as good as anything I've seen on those cake shows on TV!!!  Just thought I'd share it with you (the pics, not the cake   ).
 

 
 
 

 

[stickman]

Oh wow... the leaves and flowers on that cake look like marzipan. Are they? I bet your daughter was thrilled!

 

[DocNrock]

Plants and pods look amazing.  I hope the fires stay away.  Cake looks awesome.

 

[highalt]

Oh wow... the leaves and flowers on that cake look like marzipan. Are they? I bet your daughter was thrilled!

 
Not sure if they were fondant or what, but everything except the Tinkerbell figurine was edible.  The kids ate so many of the decorations that they were too full to eat the cake!
 

 
 
Watched your video, those babies will bush up nicely now that they have full sun...what are you feeding them?
 
I used a product that's probably not available where you are as it's produced in the next small town. it's called Hasta Gro 6-12-6. I mix it half strength with full strength sea weed juice. I'll hit each plant for a 7 count with a watering can twice a week...
 
Stay safe!

 
Just finished feeding the plants here at the house.  Here is the info on the product I'm using:
 
http://elevationorganics.com/index.php/products/peak-harvest-bloom
 
Hoping to get down to the comm. garden in a little bit to feed things there.
 
The winds have been at 20 - 30 mph for a couple of hours now, and I haven't heard any recent updates on the Ward Gulch Fire, which is probably 10 - 12 miles from the house.  I'm not seeing as much smoke today, but I can't imagine they'll be able to get the fire contained until the winds die down some.

 

[stc3248]

Amazing Cake!!! I'll bet you could do better...but good on you for making your hubby's friend feel good!