Anaheim 'New Mexico Big Jim'
Capsicum annuum 'New Mexico Big Jim'
The king of green chiles and a cornerstone of Southwestern cuisine, producing enormous 8-12 inch peppers with thick walls perfect for roasting and stuffing. These mild to medium-heat peppers are essential for authentic New Mexican dishes like green chile stew and chiles rellenos. The large size and meaty texture make them incredibly versatile, while the distinctive earthy-sweet flavor defines the taste of the Southwest.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Anaheim 'New Mexico Big Jim' in USDA Zone 7
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Anaheim 'New Mexico Big Jim' · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.
Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh 'Big Jim' peppers store exceptionally well due to their thick walls. Keep them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer for up to 2-3 weeks, or leave them on the counter for 5-7 days. The thick flesh resists shriveling better than thin-walled varieties.
For long-term storage, freezing whole is the traditional New Mexican method – simply wash, dry thoroughly, and place in freezer bags. The peppers will keep for 8-10 months and can be roasted directly from frozen. Alternatively, roast peppers over an open flame until skin blisters and chars, then peel and freeze in portions perfect for winter rellenos.
Drying works beautifully with red-ripe 'Big Jim' peppers. String them up in a dry, well-ventilated area, or use a dehydrator. The thick walls take longer to dry than thinner varieties – expect 2-3 weeks for air drying. Ground dried 'Big Jim' creates authentic New Mexican chile powder with that distinctive earthy-sweet flavor essential for traditional dishes.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical North and South America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
- +Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing requirements and can help deter hornworms when planted together
Oregano
Deters pests like aphids and spider mites with its strong aromatic oils
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Carrots
Help break up soil for pepper roots and don't compete for space or nutrients
Onions
Deter aphids, thrips, and other pests with their sulfur compounds
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling squash bugs
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to peppers and causes stunting and yellowing
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, cutworms
Diseases
Bacterial spot, phytophthora blight, verticillium wilt