Pepper - Jimmy Nardello

NZH What a story this pepper has. It’s full name is Jimmy Nardello’s Sweet Italian Frying Pepper. It was named after Jimmy Nardello who donated the seeds to the Seed Savers Exchange (SEE) in Decorah, Iowa before he passed away in 1983. He was one of 11 children from Giuseppe and Angela Nardello, who in 1887 lovingly brought over the seeds from the tiny town of Ruoti, Italy. Continuing with his mother’s love of gardening James carried this seed forward. Now this pepper is said to be one of the world’s best! Peppers originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years. The Spanish and Portuguese brought them to Europe and to their colonies in Africa and Asia. This pepper is a prolific producer of great tasting long fruit of 20m that taper to the end looking more like a hot pepper, but do not be fooled these peppers are as sweet as they come and excellent for frying and one of the best for drying. It’s also a great addition to Mexican salsas and dishes. Plants grow to 40cm and prefer staking. Early to ripen and produces late into the season.

Sow in August into trays in a glasshouse. Keep soil temp above 18°C for ideal germination. Prick out when true leaves appear to 4cm diagonal spacing. Pot on to small pots to further develop roots. Transplant after last frost to 40cm diagonal spacing into fertile ground in direct sun.

40 seeds.