How to Grow Peppers

Peppers have always been one of the most popular vegetables grown in the home garden. Many growers now have a wide selection of peppers to choose from, with various choices for color, shape, and flavor.

Bell peppers have been the most popular in the sweet variety, while the most popular among the hot peppers are chili, Jalapenos, and Habeneros. Its colors have come to include red, yellow, orange, and even purple. Its shapes are just as varied, including round shapes and the traditional long and slender shapes.

Many bells and peppers are native to Central and North America. Many hot pepper varieties, on the other hand, are native to Asia. No matter the variety, pepper plants are quite easy to grow. Though they may require somewhat higher temperatures and grow more slowly, pepper plants can provide a plentiful harvest once you’ve got them going.

Required Materials

• pepper seeds or plants
• mulch
• compost makers
• fertilizers
• garden trowels
• cloches
• bypass pruners

Steps to Grow Peppers

1. It is best to sow the seeds indoors to give the seedlings a good start. Pepper seeds are difficult to germinate and initially grow slow. Sow the seeds 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Heat lamps or a heated germination mat may be used to raise the soil temperature to 80º Fahrenheit to promote quicker germination.
2. Select a site in your garden that receives plenty of sun. Prepare the ground by plowing the soil and ridding it of weeds and rocks. Add a generous amount of compost, manure, and fertilizer to enrich the soil.
3. Transfer the seedlings outdoors after the frost has gone. Delay the transplanting if the weather is still cool. Keep the seedlings indoors, in a cold frame, or next to the house.
4. Plant the seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. Set a space of 24 to 30 inches between each row.
5. Place mulch around the young plants to keep down weeds and help retain soil moisture. Add fertilizers that are higher in potassium and phosphorous levels as the plants mature.
6. Pepper plants require regular watering. Peppers thrive in well-drained, fertile, and moist soil.
7. Pick the peppers as soon as they have reached an edible size. Colored peppers may be left on the plant to develop their full flavor and ripen. Continuous picking encourages flowering and more fruits to develop.
8. Mature fruits break off easily from the plants. Use a pruner to remove the fruits off the plant to avoid any damage on the plant.