UC Agriculture and Natural Resources shared information on Mar. 31 about two new pepper varieties, Er Jing Tiao and Madre Vieja, being added to home gardens this season. The update comes from a blog by Nanelle Jones-Sullivan, who described her experience starting these peppers alongside more familiar types like poblanos and Italian fryers.
The focus on new pepper varieties is part of ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable gardening practices among California residents. These practices support resilient ecosystems and economic vitality, according to the official website of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (https://ucanr.edu/).
Jones-Sullivan wrote that Madre Vieja is a baccatum variety from Guatemala with citrus flavors and moderate heat. She noted it can set fruit in high temperatures, germinates in ten days, and reaches transplant size in four weeks. Er Jing Tiao, an annual from Sichuan, China, dries to a red color with flavor similar to cayenne. “It germinated in about 5 days and is growing like gangbusters,” Jones-Sullivan said.
She explained her process for raising seedlings: “I ‘pot up’ pepper seedlings in seedling trays when they have developed two to four sets of true leaves.” She also described gradually exposing young plants to sunlight before moving them outdoors permanently once nighttime temperatures are suitable.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources extends university research through educational programs across all 58 counties in the state. The organization delivers science-based information via workshops and partnerships while mobilizing volunteers and research centers for community development according to the official website. Each year it conducts over 33,000 educational events with more than 18,000 volunteers involved according to the official website.
The organization operates nine research centers as laboratories representing diverse ecosystems throughout California according to the official website. As part of the University of California system managing Cooperative Extension services according to the official website, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has gained recognition for its trusted role linking research directly with community needs according to the official website.
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