Description
TAM Jalapeño peppers are a mild hot pepper, developed by Texas A&M to have the jalapeño flavor without the heat. The plants grow to a mature height of roughly 24 to 30 inches high. The leaves are glossy and rich green, and the flowers are small and white with 5 petals. The pepper fruit is about 3" long, and is oblong, medium green, smooth, and shiny. It is green when ripe, but if you leave it on the plant, with develop further into a red color. These are productive plants, each producing around 23-30 peppers.
Growth
TAM Jalapeño peppers need full sun and well-drained soil. They are sensitive to cold; be sure the temperatures and soil are warm at night as well as daytime.
TAM Jalapeño peppers are resistant to disease and hardy; they have been bred to be less vulnerable to root blight and fungus. Watch for garden pests such as army worms, cutworms, or aphids.
Pick peppers throughout the growing season by cutting stem 1" away from the pepper; pick when peppers are firm and bright green. Pick when they are ripe, and more peppers will grow. Keep picked for continuous harvests throughout the growing season.
Uses
This pepper is delicious to eat raw in salads. It is also good for pickling, cooking, seasoning, and preserving. It can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, and used for jellies. It is often used as a pizza or taco topping.
The spiciness is located in the seeds and veins; remove those to ensure mild flavor.
TAM Jalapeño's are a good source of Vitamins C, K, B6 and A.
Sowing The Seed
Peppers are best started indoors, in a controlled environment, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. To prevent root shock, sow your seeds in peat pots, at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. Transplant when the weather is warm and the plants are about 1 foot tall. Stakes can be used to support your young plants, to ensure proper growth. Check below for additional info on spacing & growth habits.
Growing Conditions
Pepper plants will thrive in the heat of summer, so they should receive full sunlight for the majority of the day, with temperatures of at least 75F or more. A soil that is rich in organic matter is best, with a pH level of at least 6.2 and 7.0. Also make sure that your sowing medium is well drained, or your plants can wilt due to being waterlogged. Water your pepper seeds daily to provide them with ample amounts of moisture until germination has occurred.
Germination & Growth
Pepper seeds typically take anywhere between 14 to 28 days to germinate. After your seedlings start to grow, they will mature to an estimated height of roughly 24 to 30 inches tall. On average, Pepper plants can be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 18 inches apart. These plants do very well when grown directly in the garden, or in large pots and containers as well.
