Nature’s Call

The Chervena Chushka Pepper

A great tasting pepper you’ve probably never heard about, is the Chervena Chushka (Capsicum annuum). It is said to be one of the sweetest peppers ever. Traditionally, it has been used for roasting, but it’s just as awesome when eaten fresh.

Chervena Chushka is an open pollinated heirloom originally from Bulgarian that produces large quantities of 4-6” long, 1.5-2” diameter tri-sided fruit, and it’s an early producer (85 days). They have a thick skin which lends itself to roasting, and start out green, brown, and finally red. The peppers are listed as a sweet pepper since they have a schoville rating of only 100. Seed companies refer to them as “snacking” peppers or “lunch box” peppers, as they can be eaten alone or stuffed with quinoa rice or a mixture of cheese and beans that have been baked. When roasting, putting them on the grill all at once doesn’t mean they’ll all be ready at the same time, so watch their appearance.

As an early producer, Chervena Chushkas are suitable for apartments and patios, as well as in areas where the season is short. Some prefer to grow them in pots, so they can be taken inside when the weather turns cold, so they will produce all through winter. Remember, peppers are perennial, but they can’t take cold weather. Bring them inside, furnish with good sunlight and they will continue to produce. One plant per five gallon pot is the norm.

The plants have green stems, green leaves, and white flowers, topping out at about 3 feet in height. Their branches, however, usually bend from the weight of the peppers, so some type of cage or other is recommended. They’re not a widely known pepper, and the only place I know for sure that sells them is Seed Savers Exchange.

Protect Your Planted Seeds and Seedlings

Those starting vegetable plants from seed often must contend with animals who love to dig up seeds or feast on tender young shoots just emerging from the seeds. There are any number of $19.95 repellants you can purchase, but there are cheaper, natural, and clever ways to combat animal & insect pests.

After planting vegetables seeds you can purchase a combination of garlic and cayenne pepper from your grocer’s spice area. My personal favorite is shaking a light dusting of garlic and cayenne pepper powder on the plant mixture surface and later on the seedlings to effectively protect both the seeds and later make the germinating plants unpalatable. Either will probably work, but a combination of the two provides great protection, even from cats anxious to dig!!! Periodic redusting is required, as watering will erode their effectiveness. Once the vegetable plants are around 4” tall, no further dusting is required. There are no negative effects on the vegetables.

Some prefer heading over to the grocer’s produce area to purchase fresh bulbs of garlic and onions. Spreading these around the seeds and seedlings will repel rodents and bugs without causing them any harm. The sulfur in the two bulbs keep bugs away due to the odor. A variation here is to liquefy them in a blender with water, or just let them sit in water for a few days. Then spray the plants, and perhaps some of the surrounding area to repel insects.

Mixing onions and garlic powders together with cayenne pepper works well and actually provides an additional layer of protection. If using a spray mixture, add a small amount of dish soap (not more than 1 tbsp per gallon of water).

Also, consider marigolds, mint, diatomaceous earth, lavender, and cedar mulch in the garden to keep pests at bay.