Best Pepper Varieties for Santa Cruz County Microclimates
Not all peppers perform equally across Santa Cruz County's diverse microclimates. This comprehensive guide matches specific pepper varieties to your growing conditions, from fog-tolerant shishitos for coastal gardens to heat-loving habaneros for Watsonville's warm valleys.
Growing Manzano Peppers in Santa Cruz County: The Perfect Hot Pepper for Cool Climates
Manzano peppers are uniquely suited to Santa Cruz County's mild climate. Unlike most hot peppers, they prefer cooler temperatures and can produce for years as perennials in our frost-free areas.
Growing Shishito & Padrón Peppers in Santa Cruz: The Perfect Peppers for Coastal Gardens
Shishito and padrón peppers are the rare warm-season crops that actually thrive in Santa Cruz County's cooler microclimates. These mild, thin-walled peppers produce prolifically, mature quickly, and taste incredible when blistered in a hot pan. Here's how to grow them in every Santa Cruz microclimate.
How to Grow Hot Peppers in Santa Cruz County
Learn which hot pepper varieties thrive in Santa Cruz County's microclimates, when to plant, and how to maximize your harvest in coastal or inland gardens.
Growing Chiltepin Peppers in Santa Cruz County: The Wild Ancestor of All Chilis
Chiltepin peppers are the wild ancestor of all cultivated chilis. These tiny, fiery peppers are challenging but rewarding for Santa Cruz County gardeners who can provide the heat they need.