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The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

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The Beet started its existence as the Epic Gardening Podcast but has grown into a one-stop shop for plant lovers. Each week, we explore topics ranging from beginner gardening tips to in-depth discussions with industry and science experts. Here, we’ll open up new gardening horizons, inspire you to greater heights, share new and exciting discoveries in agriculture, and fill your mind with freshly harvested information you can apply to your own gardening journey.

Episodes

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Published 2018-06-03

How to Get Hummingbirds In Your Garden

8 min
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Hummingbirds are wonderful garden-dwellers. Not only are they adorably cute with their super-fast blur of wings and tiny bodies, but they can be great pollinators. Often, we want to encourage them to stay by buying the best hummingbird feeder we can find and providing extra food. But what really works to draw hummingbirds? Do you know where to place a hummingbird feeder for the best chance of drawing birds? How to clean a hummingbird feeder? What should you put in it to keep your birds healthy and safe? I’ll discuss what works and what doesn’t work, and whether glass hummingbird feeders are better than plastic ones. But more than that, I’ll help you learn how to care for your hummingbird feeder, how to maintain it and clean it, and how to encourage these cute little birds to visit. Learn More: Best Hummingbird Feeder: Enticing Hummingbirds To Stay In Your Garden Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-06-02

Toads In The Garden!

5 min
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Toads are some of the most powerful pest preventing creatures in a garden. Unless you're in an area where they're invasive, you should be thinking about how to attract them to your garden. And what better way than a little toad house! Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-06-01

Attract More Birds With Heated Bird Baths

9 min
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It’s never too early to think about upcoming needs, and for many of us, a heated bird bath is on that list. Some are stylish and have tons of visual appeal. Others are a bit more sedate and merely do exactly as advertised: they keep the water from freezing. Let’s explore all of the important details of bird bath heaters, and go over everything you could ever need to know before buying one. I’ll make suggestions for some of the best that are out there, and you can prepare in advance for the fall and winter months! Unlike other devices, there is not a best heated bird bath. It really depends on your personal needs and your available space and preferences. But there are a lot of high-quality options available, and I’ll talk a little about each. Learn More: Heated Bird Bath: Give Wildlife Access To Water All Winter Long Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Have you ever wanted to grow fruit, but didn’t want to give up space in the yard for one of those heirloom apple trees? Even a crab apple might be too large? Then you will want to know about espalier fruit trees and how they’re grown! This old technique has been used on grape vines, fruit and flowering trees, and even large shrubs. Pronounced “ess-PAUL-yay”, the term originates with the French word “aspau”, meaning “a prop”, referencing the trellis that supports branches. It may also have been partially derived from the Italian term “spalliera”, which means “something to lean the shoulder against”. Espalier has been used to create low walls, lattice-pattern foliage, and best of all, flat-growing fruit trees that can live along a fenceline. It can take many years of training a tree or shrub to create the effect that you’re aiming for, but it’s so rewarding once it takes shape. Learn More: Espalier Fruit Trees: Ideas To Pack Big Fruit Harvests Into Small Spaces Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-30

Permaculture...Wine?!

8 min
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Welcome back to reality my gardening friends! Hope you had an awesome weekend. Today's episode is a riff on permaculture wine and beer techniques from the head farmer at Jester King brewery in Austin, Texas.  Learn More: Jester King Brewery Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-29

80lb of Tomatoes On One Plant?

5 min
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Most gardeners get around 10lb of tomatoes off of a single plant. And that's great! But what if you want MORE? Here are some tips to maximize yield on your tomatoes this season. Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-28

Frugal Gardening Tips

5 min
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Not all of us have boatloads of cash to throw into the garden. If you're like me, you want creative solutions to make the gardening experience a little easier that don't break the bank. Well, you're in luck - here are 5 you can use today. Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-27

12 Great Patio Container Plants

7 min
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Here's an episode for you patio gardeners out there! 12 ornamental plants that you can grow well in containers on patio. Now there are NO excuses to getting something green and colorful on your property :) Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-26

Composting Old Tomatoes?

6 min
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Quick one today for you all - common question of what to do with your tomato vines and other garden debris at the end of the season. Can you compost, should you compost? The answer lies within this episode. Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-25

How to Use Epsom Salts In The Garden

6 min
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If you're like me, you've probably heard of Epsom salts as a "gardening hack." But...why? Why does everyone seem to love using them in the garden? In today's episode we'll go over a few different ways to creatively use Epsom salts and boost the flavor and health of your plants. Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-24

Top Tips for Amending Clay Soil

9 min
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When I was growing up my Mom always complained to my Dad about her garden and flower beds. She would say things like “Nothing grows in this red dirt!”, or “I’m not planting anything this year, it never grows!” I always thought Mom just didn’t have a green thumb. Fast forward about twenty years, and now I understand her struggle. Digging in my flower beds and garden used to be like playing in a big mud pie that was left out in the sun to dry. The flowers and vegetable plants I planted always showed signs of being over-watered. Because yes, I have clay soil. I’ve figured out a few ways that have improved the quality of my garden and flower bed soil. These tips have made my efforts in the garden more fruitful and less back-breaking. Learn More: Clay Soil Got You Down? Top Tips For Amending Clay Soil Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-23

Growing Tomatillos Start to Finish

10 min
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Have you ever tried growing tomatillos? Often used as part of salsa or Mexican cuisine, this relative of the cape gooseberry is a popular fruit. But what are tomatillos, really? The Mexican husk tomato, sometimes called jamberry but more commonly called tomatillo, is a strange little plant. Its fruit grows within a natural papery lantern-like husk. Once ripe, the husk splits open and the fruit of your labor is ready to use. While most tomatillo varieties have origins in Mexico, these fruits are common throughout the Americas in the wild. There are two species, Physalis ixocarpa and Physalis philadelphica, but there’s many cultivars. The greenish or purple tomatillo fruit is used in an ever-increasing number of dishes, not to mention the salsa verde we all love. Let’s talk about all of the requirements for growing tomatillos so that you can enjoy them yourself! Learn More: Growing Tomatillos: Enjoy Salsa Verde All Summer Long Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Anyone who’s been gardening for a while is familiar with the dreaded fusarium wilt. Also called damping off, this fungal disease causes newly-sprouted seedling stems to collapse. It’s frustrating, but it’s certainly not unknown. But did you know that fusarium itself is a widespread genus of multiple species which can also cause a number of blights and rots? In fact, fusarium species create a number of dangers for not just your plants, but even directly for you. Let’s go over some information on what fusarium is and learn about how and what it does. Then, we’ll go into ways to prevent against it and newly-developing information on how to fight back! Learn More: Fusarium Wilt, Blight, And Rot: How To Handle These Fungal Problems Keep Growing, Kevin Epic Soil Starter I've partnered with Garden Maker Naturals to formulate a custom organic fertilizer designed to take standard raised bed soil to the next level. I use it in all of my beds and containers. Order your Epic Soil Starter now. Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-21

Upside Down Peppers?

7 min
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We've all heard of the "Topsy Turvy" tomato planters that allow you to grow tomatoes upside down, but what about other plants. Specifically peppers? Would they work? In today's show I outline how to grow these spicy veggies upside down! Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-19

Caring For Calatheas!

9 min
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Have you ever grown a rattlesnake plant? How about a peacock plant? A zebra plant? All of these are forms of calathea! Let’s explore the delightful and fun world of this gorgeous and popular houseplant. With many vivid variations, this leafy plant can be a perfect addition to your living space. In some areas of the world, they’re useful as well as decorative. Calathea leaves are used to wrap a specific type of tamale in Guatemala, for instance. In Thailand, calathea leaf rice containers are popular amongst the tourist trade. But enough about the uses of calathea. Let’s get on to what it is and how to grow it! Learn More: Calathea: Caring For The Rattlesnake Plant, Zebra Plant and More Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-18

How to Treat Downy Mildew

10 min
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Downy mildew and powdery mildew are often confused. If you’re looking for how to get rid of powdery mildew, check here. But downy mildew is a completely separate problem, even if it might look similar. Both are common issues in the garden. Today, we’ll go over everything there is to know about downy mildew. I’ll tell you how to treat it, but more importantly, I’ll help you determine how to prevent it so you don’t get it again! Learn More: Downy Mildew: How To Stop This Plant Disease Before It Starts Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-14

Gray Mold On Your Plants?

9 min
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If you’ve ever checked on your garden and found weird, grey, fuzzy looking spores on your plants, chances are you’ve run into botrytis cinerea. This common fungal pathogen goes by many other names as well. Grey mold, ghost spot, ash mold, or botrytis bunch rot are just a few! But to most of us, it’s that cursed grey-black mold that turns fruit into mush and wreaks havoc on our plants. You don’t have to suffer through it for much longer. I’ll walk you through what botrytis cinerea is, how it develops, and what to do if and when you find it. With good care and some preventative tactics, you can free yourself of the grey mould for good! Learn More: Botrytis Cinerea: How to Prevent and Control It Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-13

Ecotherapy: How Trees Make You Healthier

7 min
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Arbor Day is celebrated nationally in the United States on the last Friday of April each year, although individual states celebrate it at different times. So in honor of National Arbor Day, I figured I’d share some fascinating information about ecotherapy as it relates to trees, and at the same time discuss some important aspects of tree care and stewardship! Ecotherapy is a reasonably new term, and refers to the process of growth and healing by interacting with nature. I’ve discussed it at length before while talking about gardening for the elderly. But did you know that just being in and around trees can be a healthy addition to people of all ages? Let’s start out by discussing some of those important health benefits that being under the living canopy can bring you! Learn More: Ecotherapy: How Trees Make You Healthier Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-12

Kale: How to Grow Your Own Superfood

12 min
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In recent years, it’s gotten a reputation as a superfood. Leaf cabbage, also called kale, is a brassica species which really packs a punch. But growing kale isn’t something a lot of people consider doing. They should! Vitamin-packed kale (Brassica oleracea) is considered to be among the world’s healthiest foods. Rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, it’s also mineral-rich, packing a good calcium and potassium punch. For a leafy green, it’s protein-rich as well. One cup of kale will give you 2.2 grams of protein. We’re going to go over everything you’ll ever need for growing kale, including information about the various types and a good number of planting tips. By the time we’re done, you’ll be a kale growing expert. Learn More: Growing Kale: The Ultimate Guide To Growing Your Own Superfood Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-11

Choosing The Right Pruning Shears

10 min
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Getting the best pruning shears is a necessity. Your pruning shears are one of your best tools as a gardener. How else do you get rid of excess growth or keep your plants trimmed to an appropriate size? But choosing the best pruning shears for your task can be a matter of personal preference, or it can be job-specific. Most of us have a few different types available depending on what we’re doing. Today, I’ll help you break down the various components of a quality pair of pruning shears and decide what, exactly, you’ll need to get your job done. With a quality pair of pruning shears, you’ll have no problem keeping everything properly trimmed! Learn More: Best Pruning Shears: Different Snips For Your Pruning Needs Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-05-10

Dealing With Fungus Gnats

8 min
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One of the most frustrating pests in many indoor gardens is the dreaded fungus gnat and its young, the fungus gnat larvae. These little buggers can absolutely destroy your plants if you’re not vigilant — and they can do it quickly. The primary way that fungus gnats affect your plants is through their larvae. They lay eggs in your growing medium. Once they hatch, the larvae will attach to the roots of your plants and drain them of nutrients. Although the larvae are the main negative actors, adult fungus gnats can carry disease, especially fungal diseases.​ These can be deadly on their own, but that’s not all. They also lay hundreds of eggs fast, which will devour plant roots! It’s absolutely essential that you stop these pests before they can take hold, whether indoors or out. The last thing you need is for your plants to succumb to a horrible fate. I’ll help you to overcome your fungus gnat woes, though. Let’s go into detail about fungus gnats and their larvae, and learn how to demolish them before they can take over! Learn More: Fungus Gnat Larvae: How To Kill Them Off Quickly Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Most people know what their plants need to thrive. But how will you know if your garden has everything it really needs? Test the soil, of course! And yet there’s so many test types available. How should you choose? I’ll help you sort through the different types of soil test kits that are on the market today and find the best soil test kit for your needs. Better yet, I’ll explain all about testing your soil and how to do it. Learn More: Best Soil Test Kit For 2018: Which To Get And What To Know Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-30

Experiments in Martha's Garden

12 min
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In the FINAL episode with Ryan McCallister, Martha Stewart's personal gardener, we riff on some experiments he's running in the garden right now as well as touch on the straw bale gardening method. Learn More: Ryan McCallister on Instagram Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-28

Spring and Winter Garden Prep

6 min
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In the 5th of 7 episodes with Ryan McCallister, Martha Stewart's personal gardener, we get into how he approaches the monumental task of preparing her garden for Spring, as well as tips for Winter winding down in the garden. Learn More: Ryan McCallister on Instagram Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-26

Keeping Track Of Your Garden

6 min
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In the 3rd of 7 episodes with Ryan McCallister, Martha Stewart's personal gardener, we talk about just how the heck he keeps track of everything going on in the garden! Learn More: Ryan McCallister on Instagram Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-24

Martha Stewart's Personal Gardener

10 min
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Today kicks off another 7-part series on the podcast, this time with Ryan McCallister, who holds the vaulted position of Martha Stewart's personal gardener. In this episode we get into his background in gardener and how the heck he got that job! Learn More: Ryan McCallister on Instagram Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-22

7 Ways to Supecharge Your Soil

8 min
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When you're prepping a bed, it's important to know that there are a wealth of options for recharging the soil. Whether you're setting up a new bed or trying to amend after a bountiful harvest, here are 7 organic ways to get your soil filled with nutrition! Learn More: 21+ Organic Fertilizers and How To Use Them In Your Garden Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-21

Indoor Lighting Considerations

7 min
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Growing indoor can be a challenge, mostly because you have to create your own sunlight by using indoor grow lights. Today I answer a question from Karen about a few things you should think about when considering growing indoors under lights. Learn More: All of my indoor grow light content on the site Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-17

Destroying Mealybugs FOREVER

11 min
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Only a tenth to a quarter of an inch long, tiny mealybugs don’t look particularly dangerous. However, these voracious plant-suckers can literally suck the life out of your plants if you’re not careful. Today, I plan on helping you to stop the mealybug manifestation on your plants forever. Once you’ve read the information below, you should know everything you need to get rid of these little pests and keep them out! Learn More: Mealybugs: Making Pseudococcidae Pests Go Away For Good Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-16

The Cucumber Episode

19 min
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Once the warmth of summer comes on, cucumbers are a favorite addition to summer salads and sandwiches. Growing cucumbers at home is surprisingly easy, and you’ll find that the ones you grow are far superior to anything you can buy at the store. Whether used to make pickles, eaten fresh from the garden, or used for their juice, cucumber is a great source of vitamins and micronutrients. They’re packed with water and fiber, two things essential to our health. And they’re low-calorie, making them a favorite food of the diet-conscious. Let’s not forget that the plants themselves are a bright green and will enliven your garden space with a mat of dense, fat leaves. Hiding within those vines or bushes can be an abundance of delicious food if you just follow this guide! Learn More: Growing Cucumbers: The Ultimate Guide To Cucumis Sativus Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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Published 2018-04-15

The Willy Wonka Pepper

5 min
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Its real name is the Chinese 5 Color Pepper, but I call it the Willy Wonka pepper because it looks like it'd be right at home in his Chocolate Factory! This is one of the wildest-colored peppers you'll ever grow. Learn More: Buy Chinese 5 Color Pepper Seeds Keep Growing, Kevin Follow Epic Gardening Everywhere:  

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