Scotch Bonnnet peppers are a staple in Caribbean cuisine as well as a new favorite on our farm. The squat golden fruits pack not only heat but also fruity sweet flavor. These are relatives of the habanero and are similar in growth and maturation. Be sure to seed them a good 6-8 weeks before the last frost since they need a fairly long growing season. Expect loads of these golden peppers to ripen until the first frost. Extend your season with row cover or the greenhouse.

We made a delicious fermented hot sauce with this by blending the fruits, including the stems, with a few cloves of garlic, salt, a bit of honey and a dab of yogurt. Blend well and put in a canning jar. Leave to ferment at room temp for 3-5 days, burping the container several times a day to let gases escape. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Start these 6-8 weeks before the last frost date indoors or in a greenhouse. This family of plants need soil temps of 60-85 F to germinate. They will really pop out of the ground around 75-80 F. If your home is not that warm consider using a heat mat with thermostat. This provides bottom heat which improves germination.

Source a quality potting or seeding soil mix. Bury small seeds by about 1/8 inch and keep moist. Seedlings will need direct light as soon as they germinate or will become leggy and weak. Depending on how big your initial container is you may need to pot them up before putting into garden beds. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed at about 2 ft spacing.