How to Grow Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande'
Capsicum annuum 'Craig's Grande'
Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande' is a popular warm-season pepper variety prized for its reliable heat and vigorous growth. Gardeners cultivate this easy-to-grow plant to enjoy fresh chiles in salsas, salads, or as a flavorful garnish throughout the summer harvest.
📷 Wikipedia: Capsicum annuumStarting Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande': indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande' is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors early; instead, wait until the last spring frost has passed and soil is warm before transplanting seedlings directly outdoors.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil by ensuring it has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal nutrient uptake. As a warm-season crop, you must start seeds indoors only after all danger of frost has passed, waiting until outdoor soil is consistently warm. Sow seeds at a depth of about one-quarter inch; they typically sprout within seven to fourteen days.
Space plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart in full sun locations receiving six or more hours daily. While this variety generally does not require staking, provide support if stems become heavy with fruit. Water deeply about one inch per week while avoiding overhead irrigation to prevent leaf issues. Apply mulch around the base and feed regularly during active growth.
Watch for aphids, pepper weevils, thrips, and spider mites; inspect leaves frequently and use insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Prevent bacterial spot, anthracnose, and phytophthora blight by practicing good sanitation and avoiding wet foliage. Harvest fruits seventy-five to eighty-five days after planting when they reach your desired size and color.
When to Plant Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande'
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande'
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor
Loosens soil around pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds
Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently
✗ Keep away from
Can harbor verticillium wilt that spreads to pepper plants
Releases juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and can kill plants
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper development
Inhibits growth of peppers through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
