It was a dark and stormy night…well, not really. I’ve just always wanted to start something out like that. Actually, it was a hot, bright, and sunny day and I was driving out to a local farm in Kirkland, Ohio. After a 45 minute drive with the A/C on full blast I had arrived at my destination; Rock’s Farm and Garden.

Located at 10935 Route 306, Kirkland, Ohio 44026 resides a very unassuming house with flats of plants out front. But the real magic is what lies behind it. Kevin Malone teamed up with Rock’s Farm about 2-3 years ago to plant his pepper crops in a large section of their farm. Kevin and his helper, Matthew Barris (an alarmingly bright and experienced youngster) have growing over 500+ plants with 300 different varieties, ranging from Fatalii’s, Aji, Goat Weed, Scotch Bonnet, Tabasco, Datal, and the coveted Bhut Jalokia.

I was shown around the farm and where the peppers were going to be planted (pictured below). “I’ll plant them outside around the end of June or beginning of July” Kevin commented which will give them just enough time to be ready for the start of the harvest around August. The beginning of August is actually the start of when the public will be allowed onto the farm to pick the peppers and will close its doors in November. The cost is $3 a pound for almost any type of pepper. The exceptions are the smaller peppers such as the Tepins.

Kevin, who has over 35 years of experience growing peppers, then showed me a sight which I will remember forever. A potted Tepin plant that was 12 years old. The plant basically looked like a small tree and was starting its new growth for the season. Matthew commented on this by saying “Most people think this is a small tree, but nope, it’s a pepper bush”.

I was in for two shocks as it turns out, the Tepin plant and his answer to my next question. When asked what his favorite pepper was he responded with “I actually don’t eat peppers, it’s just a hobby”. Just a hobby? No, model railroad building or collecting belly button lint is just a hobby; this monster of a crop is an undertaking. Be sure to stop on by and say hello in August. It’s a beautiful sight to see.