Craig's Grande

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Craig's Grande delivers a glossy, deep-green jalapeño that turns to a rich, warm red as it matures—its aroma is bright and peppery, with a satisfying snap and a juicy, medium-thick wall.

Expect sturdy plants and dependable, high-yielding fruit that shines fresh and performs beautifully when roasted for smoky depth, then shines again in salsas and pickled favorites for bold, tangy heat.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Craig's Grande

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This jalapeño is built for that clean, immediate snap—then it gives you a juicy, medium-thick bite that stands up to roasting without turning hollow. When it’s fully red, the heat shifts warmer and rounder, making it ideal for tangy pickles and smoky salsa without losing texture.

Best Uses

smoked/roasted for charred, mellow heat and glossy flesh
quick-pickled rings where the snap holds under vinegar
fresh chopping for pico-style salsas and chunky guacamole
stuffing and oven-baking for crisp edges and juicy interior heat

Flavor Profile

bright jalapeño pepper heat peppery, grassy aroma snappy bite with a juicy, medium-thick wall sweet-to-warm red-pepper finish as it ripens

Kitchen Pairings

lime cilantro garlic smoked salt cheddar pork carnitas

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease problem for Capsicum annuum (jalapeño peppers) and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and whiteflies, which cluster on the undersides of jalapeño leaves and can lead to sooty mold. Spray plants with insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested leaves, then repeat every 5–7 days until activity stops. Also check regularly for blossom-end rot early on; keep soil moisture even during fruit set to reduce the calcium-related issue.

How often should I water jalapeño peppers during the main growing phase?

During active growth and fruit set, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and container size. Water deeply so it reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again. Irregular watering can trigger leaf drop and blossom-end rot.

How can I tell when my jalapeños (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 75 days when pods have reached full size and are firm and glossy. For a classic jalapeño look, pick when fruits are dark green and still crisp; they can also be left longer to ripen to red, but expect a softer pod. Use scissors or pruners to cut the stem so you don’t tear the plant.