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A HOT LITTLE
FARM IN NEW JERSEY Ask
anyone where you’re likely to find the largest variety of chile pepper
plants in America and you’re sure to obtain responses in the Southwest. But
the answer is New Jersey, the aptly named Garden State. Cross Country
Nurseries, located in Rosemont NJ, boasts the largest variety of chile
pepper plants grown by any purveyor in the country: 445 and rising. “My
ultimate goal is to hit 1,000,” declares Janie Lamson, who owns the 54 acre
farm with her husband Fernando Villegas.
Cross Country originally grew perennials,
ornamental grasses and ferns. But in 1993 Janie’s brother handed her six
packages of hot pepper seeds and asked her to grow them for him. This
hot idea blossomed into their current enterprise. The perennials were
eventually abandoned and now Janie and Fernando’s sole focus is the growing
of chile peppers. All 445 varieties can be purchased as live plants ready
for transplant into the home garden, or just the pods themselves are
available from 75 of the 445 varieties. Cross Country can ship anywhere in
the United States.
Cross Country’s plants are grown from seed
beginning in January. They are started indoors on heating mats under
lights. Three weeks later they are transferred to a greenhouse and in April
they are ready for shipment.
Chile peppers are a tropical plant and very
sensitive to cold. Janie warns about transplanting them too soon. An early
frost can kill the plants or at the very least, stunt their growth.
However, eschewing an early frost is not enough. The ground must reach a
certain degree of warmth before transplanting or the pepper’s development
and eventual harvest will be curtailed. Very generally speaking, this means
planting in mid May for southern NJ and late May to early June for northern
NJ. Interestingly, chiles transplanted in June will grow faster and provide
more fruit than ones transplanted in May. The most prudent course of action
is acquiring the plants at the best time to plant for your area.
Cross Country buys seeds for many of their
plants. However, seeds for some chiles, particularly the more exotic ones,
are not always available. To ensure a yearly supply of these chiles, a
special greenhouse called the “motherhouse” is maintained. Seeds from these
varieties are harvested each year and planted in January along with the
purchased seeds.
There is also a special outdoor field where
the aforementioned 75 varieties of chiles for harvesting is maintained.
These are some of the most popular chiles for customers who wish to
purchase just the pods and not the live plants. The field contains their
four top sellers: Red Savina habaneros, Chocolate habaneros, Devil’s
Tongue, and Fatallii.
Red Savinas are listed in the Guinness Book
of World records as the hottest pepper on earth. However, a study by the
University of New Mexico awards the crown to the Chocolate habanero, which
derives its name from its brownish color. The Devil’s Tongue Pepper, was
“discovered” growing amongst other habaneros in Pennsylvania. Its exact
origins are unknown but it is clearly in the habanero family based on its
taste and heat level. It is a two to two and a half inch long by one inch
wide, wrinkled, yellow pepper. The Fatallii is an African variety, similar
to the Devil’s tongue except somewhat longer, and also a habanero relative.
These four peppers are the favorites for one very simple reason: they are
the hottest. “People want hot,” explains Janie, “The milds do not sell as
well.”
The number of types of chile peppers is
constantly growing. The main reason for this is hybridization. Sometimes
this is done by design. But frequently the actions of insects, birds and
other natural forces can cause chiles to cross-pollinate. New varieties are
then discovered as the aforementioned Devil’s Tongue. Janie and Fernando
have also visited a number of Caribbean nations in the quest for new
peppers.
Cross Country exclusively employs organic
means to fertilize their plants and control for pests. Fish emulsion and
seaweed are utilized as fertilizer. Fish emulsion is high in nitrogen and
promotes strong growth and deep green leaf development. Seaweed is high in
potassium, (beneficial for the roots), and many other micronutrients and
serves as a “multivitamin.” Ladybugs, among other insects, are released in
the greenhouses to eat aphids and other pests. A small manmade pond in the
motherhouse assists in maintaining high humidity that repels spider mites.
Cross Country Nurseries is located at PO Box
170, 199 Kingwood-Locktown Road, Rosemont NJ 08556. They can be reached at
908-996-4646 or at their website at
www.chileplants.com. The website contains beautiful color photos of all
of their peppers. They are open to the public April through June. Shipping
of live plants occurs during the same months, and fresh pepper pods in
September.
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