Seeds, Pepper, Ashe County Pimento Sweet

Pepper, Ashe County Pimento Sweet
(Capsicum annuum)

Ashe County Pimento Sweet is a treasured Appalachian heirloom known for its rich, sweet flavor and thick, heart-shaped fruits. Traditionally grown in the mountains of North Carolina, this variety produces vibrant red peppers prized for fresh eating, roasting, and classic homemade pimento cheese. Productive and adaptable, it performs well in diverse summer gardens while delivering dependable yields of deeply flavored sweet peppers.

Key Characteristics

• Thick-Walled, Sweet & Juicy
  Fruits are blocky to heart-shaped with thick, tender flesh and a rich sweetness when fully red. Excellent for stuffing, roasting, grilling, and fresh slicing. The smooth texture makes it especially valued for traditional pimento spreads and preserving.
• Heirloom Appalachian Variety
  A regional heirloom maintained by growers in Ashe County, North Carolina. Well adapted to warm days and cooler mountain nights, offering resilience and consistent performance in varied summer conditions.
• High-Yielding & Compact Growth
  Plants are sturdy and productive, setting multiple medium-sized fruits per plant. Their manageable height makes them well-suited for raised beds, intensive gardens, and small-scale production.
• Excellent for Roasting & Freezing
  Thick walls hold up beautifully when roasted and peeled. Peppers freeze well after roasting, making this variety a strong choice for extending summer flavor into winter.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
• Native Range: Central & South America (widely cultivated)
• Plant Life Cycle: Annual
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium, fertile, well-drained
• Mature Height: 18–30 inches
• Bloom Time: June–August
• Bloom Color: White
• Days to Maturity: ~75–85 days (green), ~90 days (red ripe)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 3–10

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors after soil temperatures reach at least 65–70°F. Provide compost-rich soil and steady moisture during flowering and fruit set. Avoid excessive nitrogen to promote fruit production over leaf growth. In permaculture systems, place peppers in warm microclimates such as south-facing beds or near stone walls for improved heat retention.

Ashe County Pimento Sweet Pepper delivers heirloom flavor, regional history, and dependable harvests—an outstanding sweet pepper for home kitchens and homestead gardens.

These seeds come from the Appalachian Seed Growers Collective, a regional network of farmers dedicated to growing and sharing seeds adapted to the Southern Appalachian climate and rooted in seed sovereignty and crop diversity. These varieties have been grown and saved in place by local growers to thrive in your garden while supporting resilient, locally-grown food systems.