Grown New Mexico Hatch Chile 'Sandia'?

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New Mexico Hatch Chile 'Sandia' — Peppers

80-85days to harvest

10-21days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost when soil is 65°F, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: Deep watering 1-2 times per week, drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam, tolerates poor soils
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Green maturing to bright red
Size: 6-7 inches long, 1.5 inches wide
Shape: Long, tapered chile shape with thick walls
Flavour: Medium heat (1,000-8,000 SHU), complex earthy flavor with fruity undertones, exceptional when roasted

In the kitchen

Roasting for green chile, drying for ristras, salsas, stews, authentic New Mexican cuisine

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Chile thrips, aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil
Diseases: Chile wilt, bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew
Resistance: Good tolerance to chile wilt and root rot

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	—	September – 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 enhancing pepper flavor

TomatoesShare similar growing conditions and nutrient needs, mutual pest deterrence

OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

MarigoldsDeter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds

CarrotsLoose soil from carrot growth improves drainage for pepper roots

OnionsRepel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and causes wilting

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper germination and growth

BrassicasCompete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper development

Apricot TreesCan harbor verticillium wilt which spreads to peppers through soil

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

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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 New Mexico Hatch Chile 'Sandia'?

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