Jack Miller

You don’t have to pollinate jalapeno plants by hand to get a good harvest, but understanding the process can help you grow more peppers.   Jalapeno plants are self-pollinating, which means they don’t absolutely need your help to produce fruit.   However, if you’ve been wondering whether you have to pollinate jalapeno plants to boost … Read more

You don’t have to cook jalapenos before pickling, and in fact, most home canners skip that step entirely for the crispiest results.   But the real answer to whether you cook jalapenos before pickling depends entirely on the texture you’re after and how long you plan to store them.   If you’re asking if you … Read more

You don’t cook jalapeno poppers before freezing, and doing so can actually wreck their texture and flavor.   Cooking them ahead of time turns the creamy filling runny, makes the peppers mushy, and ruins that crispy, golden coating you want later.   The best way to freeze jalapeno poppers is to prep them raw, freeze … Read more

Squirrels do eat jalapeno peppers, though they often treat them as a last-resort snack rather than a first choice.   These clever garden visitors will absolutely nibble on jalapeno peppers when they’re hungry enough, and they’ve even been known to develop a taste for the spicy heat over time.   If you’ve been noticing bite … Read more

Raccoons can eat jalapenos, but that doesn’t mean they always will.   These clever creatures are known for eating just about anything they can get their paws on, yet when it comes to spicy peppers, their reaction is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.   If you’ve been wondering whether raccoons … Read more