Peppers are probably one of the easiest things to grow. For real. And when you plant them yourself, you have a huge range of options to chose from. So much more than you’ll ever find in a grocery store! Here’s how easy it is…
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Pepper Seeds
Ok, so obviously, this is where you begin. And this is actually the hardest part. You have to choose your seeds.
Last year I grew 21 different varieties… Why? Because I couldn’t choose just 5.
There are lots of places to get your seeds from. I use Baker Creek Seed Company, MI Gardener, and I’ve even ordered this pack straight from Amazon: Sweet & Hot Pepper Seeds
The next step is starting the seeds. I’ve got a whole blog post on that. So I’ll leave that here , and skip to the next phase. How to grow those peppers…
Transplanting Peppers
When it is 2 to 3 weeks after the threat of frost, and your soil is nice and warm (about 65 degrees or more), it’s time to transplant into the garden.
Your young pepper plants can be put directly into the garden, or planted into bigger pots.
I usually mix some aged compost into my soil prior to transplanting. Or you can also use aged black cow, or a fertilizer specific for peppers and tomatoes. I prefer Jobe’s Organics
For most varieties, pepper plants should be spaced 12-18” apart. Larger varieties can be spaced a little more.
Handle the roots gently, and plant slightly deeper than the root line. Not too deep though, because while the plant stem can sprout roots, if planted too deep, the stem can rot. I personally go no more than half an inch past the root line.
After planting, lightly water. This helps the roots to settle.
Now you’re ready to mulch. The best options are going to be things like grass clippings, leaves and straw. Avoid things like the dyed wood chips for landscaping.
You will need to set up a way to support your little plants. This can be a trellis, bamboo stake, or a tomato cage. Personally, I like the large tomato cages . They hold up well, last year after year, and support the entire plant. Plus, I like to tie a tag to the cage, marked with the variety of pepper planted there. It helps me keep track of my plants.
How to Care for Your Pepper Plants
The hardest part is over. Now is when you can relax. Pepper plants need minimal weeding, and minimal watering.
A good, deep watering once or twice a week is sufficient. If it is unusually hot and dry, they may need it once a day. But pepper plants like to dry out between drinks, so less is more when it comes to water.
Peppers don’t suffer from pests as often as other garden plants. Here in Florida, I don’t usually have any issues until mid-Summer, and even then, the issues are slight. Leaf leg bugs are the biggest problem for me. And a light dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth once a week is all that is needed.
While not 100% necessary, pruning your plants is a good idea. Trimming the bottom leaves/stems of your pepper plants allows for more air flow, and helps keep plants healthy and strong. The goal here is to keep your branches from touching the ground, the result of which will reduce disease and pests. It can also improve your yield.
Enjoy the Abundance
Now you know how to grow peppers… Get ready for more peppers than you know what to do with! I love making pepper jelly, hot sauce and salsas. Dehydrating them and making my own seasonings. And, of course, pizza toppings. The options are endless!
