1 - You can purchase chile varieties released by NMSU from the Chile Pepper Institute.

Yard and Garden - June 18, 2011

Q.

I would like to know how I could obtain chile seeds that you plant at NMSU. I live in Dona Ana, and I have a garden in which I grow chile, carrots, watermelons, cucumbers and various other vegetables, nuts and fruit. I obtained chile seeds from NMSU several years ago at a chile conference and have since run out of these seeds and would like to have some more.

- Nancy R.

A.

You can purchase the seeds of NMSU chile varieties (and other varieties) from the Chile Pepper Institute. This is an organization that supports chile research, education, and sells chile seeds to accomplish its' mission. The Chile Pepper Institute is located on the NMSU campus in Las Cruces, in Gerald Thomas Hall.

On this web site there is a section devoted to the shop in which you can purchase seeds online. You can also call them at 575-646-3028.

2 - You can use rabbit manure in your garden

Q.

Is it safe to use rabbit manure in my vegetable and flower garden? Will rabbit manure burn plants like chicken manure?

- Kathy M.

Albuquerque

A.

Rabbit manure can be used directly in the garden without burning your plants. It may also be composted with garden debris and kitchen wastes, and then added to the garden. In both manners of manure application rabbit manure is beneficial to the garden.

Marisa Y. Thompson, PhD, is the Extension Horticulture Specialist, in the Department of Extension Plant Sciences at the New Mexico State University Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, email: desertblooms@nmsu.edu, office: 505-865-7340, ext. 113.

Links:

For more gardening information, visit the NMSU Extension Horticulture page at Desert Blooms.

Send gardening questions to Southwest Yard and Garden - Attn: Dr. Marisa Thompson at desertblooms@nmsu.edu, or at the Desert Blooms Facebook page.

Please copy your County Extension Agent and indicate your county of residence when you submit your question!