Grown Hot Pepper 'Beaver Dam'?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Hot Pepper 'Beaver Dam' — Peppers

75-85days to harvest

10-21days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost date. Transplant when soil and night temperatures are consistently warm.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, consistent moisture for best production
Soil: Rich, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Light green to cream, maturing to orange-red
Size: 3-5 inches long, 2-3 inches wide at shoulders
Shape: Distinctive broad shoulders tapering to pointed end, slightly curved
Flavour: Sweet when young, developing medium heat (1,000-5,000 SHU) with rich, complex flavor when mature

In the kitchen

Fresh eating when young, frying, stuffing, making paprika, pickling, and preserving

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, spider mites, pepper hornworm, cutworms
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, mosaic virus, blossom end rot
Resistance: Typical heirloom susceptibility to common pepper diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

TomatoesShare similar growing conditions and can be planted together efficiently

MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects that attack peppers

OreganoDeters pests like aphids and spider mites with strong aromatic compounds

CarrotsHelp break up soil around pepper roots and don't compete for nutrients

OnionsRepel aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects that damage peppers

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting peppers

Avoid

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

BeansFix nitrogen which can cause peppers to produce excessive foliage at expense of fruit

KohlrabiCompetes for similar nutrients and can stunt pepper plant growth

Apricot treesCan harbor diseases like verticillium wilt that affect pepper plants

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousNew Mexico Hatch Chile 'Sandia' Next →Butterhead Boston

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Hot Pepper 'Beaver Dam'?

Similar varieties