Why shop at Esposito’s? The variety! Unlike the big box stores, we purchase our veggies from several different growers, not just one. This means more variety and more options when it comes to package size. Good luck finding a better assortment! Right now, we have several varieties of eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and a huge assortment of herbs. We receive several new shipments throughout the planting season, so you’ll always have plenty to choose from.

Peppers exhibit a wide range of flavors. A green bell is drastically different from a red bell. A banana pepper, which doesn’t taste much like a banana at all, tastes vastly different from a pepperoncini. Consider the jalapeno, some are ho hum with a mild flavor, while others blister the tongue.

The spiciness of a pepper is typically measured in scoville heat units or SHU for short. A bell pepper clocks in at 0 SHU, a datil pepper at 100,000 SHU, and a Trinidad scorpion pepper registering at over 2,000,000 SHU. To put this in perspective, the Trinidad scorpion is more than 400 times hotter than your average jalapeno, or in other words, hot enough to hurt!

Will Cross-Pollination Change the Flavor of My Peppers?

This is a question we receive time and time again! In short, it depends. While peppers are usually self-pollinated, they may occasionally be pollinated by neighboring plants, either by accident, or on purpose! What does this mean for the gardener? If the plant is already growing, you DON’T need to worry about the flavor of the fruit changing; flavor is determined entirely by the genes of the fruiting plant and does not change throughout its lifespan. The seeds, on the other hand, are another story!

Cross-pollination results in daughter plants whose traits are some combination of the two parents. You won’t see these new variations until you plant the seeds from the cross pollinated fruit. This can be a good thing for gardeners who are looking to develop exciting new varieties; many will intentionally cross-pollinate their peppers by hand, for the sake of experimentation. For those looking to save seeds that preserve the gene-line, you should plant each variety in its own section within the garden to decrease the chances of cross-pollination. You can also pollinate your peppers by hand to ensure self-pollination has occurred.

One of the best ways to pollinate any of your self-fertile veggies (like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and beans) is by using an electric toothbrush! The subtle vibration, which is similar to the buzz of a bumblebee, encourages the flower to drop pollen from the anther to the pistil, initiating the reproductive cycle. In fact, this is the reason flowers attract bees, using nectar, in the first place – to assist in pollination!

 

Does variety matter? Yes! There are 5 main species of peppers, Capsicum annuum (includes jalapenos, cayennes, serranos, poblanos, chili peppers, bell peppers, and most other sweet peppers), Capsicum chinense (includes habanero, Trinidad scorpion, and ghost peppers), Capsicum frutescens (includes tabasco), Capsicum baccatum (includes peppadew), and Capsicum pubescens (includes rocoto and manzano). If hybridization is the goal, choosing two peppers from the same species is essential. If you’re trying to preserve the gene-line, choosing varieties from different species is a way to prevent unwanted cross-pollination.

Location, Location, Location…Most veggies need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Gardens that receive ample sunlight tend to produce bigger plants and higher yields. Make sure you situate your garden near a reliable water source – does your hose reach okay? Avoid areas that are overly sloped, exposed to strong winds, or prone to flooding.

You Get Back What You Put In…The health of your soil can make or break your veggie gardening experience. Healthy soil should be moist, well drained, dark in color, and rich in nutrients. There is plenty you can do to boost the quality of poor soil. Some of our favorite additives include: Michigan Peat, Mushroom Compost, Worm Castings, and Black Kow aged manure.

Start Small…Growing your own veggies isn’t difficult, but it does require some effort. If you’re just getting started, exercise restraint and only plant the veggies you know you will eat (and water). It’s better to have one raised bed that’s full of high quality soil and is regularly watered, than it is to have 10 sub-par garden beds that are often neglected.

Get Ready For Rain…In Florida, a few things are guaranteed: it will be hot, and there will be rain. Prepare in advance by mulching your beds to improve moisture retention (and smother weeds), and applying a fungicide to prevent potential outbreaks before they start. We like Copper fungicide, but you can also use Neem oil for an organic approach.

Don’t Let Weeds Take Over…Do yourself a favor and pull your weeds early and often. Do not under-estimate their ability to grow, well…like weeds! It doesn’t take long for weeds to start dropping seeds and taking over the bed, so it’s crucial to pluck ’em before they get to that point. You can use a weed barrier  to help cut down on the number of weed seeds which are able to sprout. While pre-emergent weed control isn’t safe for use in the veggie garden, we do recommend using it in the rest of the yard to cut down on the number of weeds in the general area. Weed seeds are easily transported via wind, water, and animals, so if you have an abundance of weeds in one area of the yard, it won’t be long until they end up in another. Now is the perfect time to apply pre-emergent to the lawn, along with fertilizer!

Water Deeply…When it comes to watering, you want to water deeply, and consistently. When water is consistently delivered to the roots of your vegetable plants, the roots are encouraged to grow deeper and spread wider. A more robust root system means better resistance to drought and better nutrient uptake, which results in an improved resistance to disease. Try to water your veggies about the same amount each time, adding up to about 2 inches per week. Some veggies, like tomatoes, are prone to developing cracks when they suddenly receive more water than they are accustomed to, so consistency is key!

Apply BIO-TONE directly around roots at the time of planting. This product encourages faster root development, better nutrient uptake, and healthier overall growth.

Use TOMATO-TONE every 14 days after planting tomatoes. This product contains 8% added calcium to prevent the dreaded blossom end rot which is a common issue faced by tomatoes.

Use GARDEN-TONE on the rest of your vegetables, every 14 days after planting. This product may also be used to fertilize herbs, immediately after planting, or following a large harvest.