I raise my own, but when I need something quick I pick them up at the farmers market. The Union Square market (M,W,F) is great for it, and you will find many different plant varieties. The vendors just this week started putting them out and should be in full swing by next week i'd bet. Pretty sure they won't be cheaper than what you are finding, but they are very healthy and many are organic.

I am stopping by the market shortly, and will take a look for you. From what I have seen they are much healthier plants than the ones at Home Depot down the street. Plus the growers are there working the stand so usually can answer questions.

Thanks. Im a 10 minutes walk from the market. Do you mind asking them if they will be back on Friday? (Ive never gone, so don't know how they work in terms of coming everyday the market place is open)

Looks like 3 or 4 seedling vendors have peppers already, a few others said next week or following. Lots to choose from though. Vendors are all back there Friday and Saturday too. The stand on the northeast corner has the California Wonder peppers you mentioned, as well as a golden version. Price varies across vendors by size of plant. Small ones are $3 for a tray of 6, or two trays for $5. 4" potted larger plants run 3 for $5.

Anyway, I counted 12-15 different pepper varieties across vendors so you should have plenty to choose from if you go! You have to really look around though, they don't have as many peppers as all the other veggies so they can get hidden a bit. Good luck.

Stuart

Thanks! I might try and stop by on my way home from work. Any tips on how to find the specific vendor? Were there any hot peppers? Really want to try and grow some of the spiciest peppers.

When you say tray do you mean trays like these? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0149L72CE/ref=asc_df_B0149L72CE4977933/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B0149L72CE&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167139575215&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14711232897968948697&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060351&hvtargid=pla-306024112528

No, the small trays they had are still larger than the ones in your link. They looked more like 2x2 per cell but definitely not the typical 6 cell. I use those in your link for starting mine but then transplant to 4" pots.

Yes, they had lots of hot peppers out! Mostly hot peppers actually. I don't grow hot peppers so can't help you with types they had (other than habanero haha!) but probably 5 or 6 varieties from memory.

All the vendors had hot peppers, most had other varieties too. The California Wonder I only saw from the one vendor. If you are familiar with the layout, the seedling vendors all seem to be on the northern leg of the "L" shape market layout- along 17th street. This particular vendor was on the furthest east stand (nearest Park ave) on the side furthest from 17th street. Hope that makes sense. Shouldn't be a problem in any event, lots of them selling today and I imagine more on Friday.

Thanks! That is much cheaper than HD and Lowes. The ones I bought from NWL were in the tray in the link.

Ive never been to the market place. Ill walk down Park avenue to make finding them easier. I appreciate your help!

Your welcome, good luck! Also, they close at 6 each day but some vendors seem to pack up a little early.

Okay, maybe ill just stop by on Friday afternoon.

Those are some of the larger ones I saw, I think they were hot peppers? Did you find the smaller trays with the California Wonder peppers too? They were down on a low shelf so easy to miss

No. They were starting to close up. I'm going to try again on Friday around 1.

Oh great, now I am trying to find space in my garden for some of those hot peppers I saw : )

Thanks!

I went and bought 15 plants for only $9.50!

$5 - Two packs of 6 trays call trays of chile and some other pepper.

$4.50 - Three single pots of 3 habanero peppers