Hey ya’ll, today I’m going over 5 simple tips for starting pepper seeds when you don’t have “all the things.”
You don’t need a green house, grow lights, heat mats, or anything fancy to get started.
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Tip #1: You can start pepper seeds in anything!
Red solo cups… egg cartons… old tupperware… Pretty much anything you can poke a few holes in the bottom of, can be your starting planter. It’s that simple.
Be sure to use a light and fluffy potting soil. The dirt from your garden will be too heavy for the seeds.
Tip #2: Pepper seeds like it hot!
Seriously, ya’ll. They germinate best in a warm spot. I stick mine on top of the fridge. Or you can use a shelf in your garage in warmer weather, a water heater closet, an outdoor storage room that stays a little warmer…
I have a shed behind my house where we keep our freezers and extra refrigerator, and that’s the place I currently use. The peppers get the warmest spot; top of the fridge.
Tip #3: Pepper seedlings need lots of sunlight!
Once your babies have germinated, set them on a sunny windowsill. A south facing window is ideal. But mine faces East and they do just fine.
They will lean towards the light, so once or twice a day it’s a good idea to rotate them, to keep them growing as straight as possible.
Not enough light will result in “leggy” seedlings. Which means the stems will stretch too tall and they can start to flop over. If, in the end, you have a few leggy ones, don’t worry! If they start to flop before it’s time to put them outside, you can repot and plant them deeper, so that most of the stem is under the soil. Peppers are one of the few plants that will grow more roots from their stems.
Bonus tip: To help them grow strong, occasionally open the window (if it’s a warm afternoon) for a little breeze. Or turn a fan on them, softly and gently blowing from a distance.
The movement will help strengthen their little stems.
You can also pet them… yes, pet them. Gently brushing your hand across the tops will help them get strong as well.
Tip #4: Pepper plants don’t like wet feet!
Don’t over water your little ones. They like their feet (roots) to dry out between waterings.
I water mine every 2-3 days, when very young, and every other day once they get bigger and start drinking more.
Check the soil every day. If it’s moist, let it be. If it’s dry, time to water.
Water deeply and thoroughly, but gently.
Once your seedlings are about 2 weeks old, you can add a little fertilizer to their water. They don’t like much, and nothing strong. I use a low dose of fish emulsion fertilizer in water, once a week, from when the seedlings are 2-3 weeks old until they are planted outside.
Tip #5: Harden’em off!
This part is so important!
If you put these delicate babies straight out into the harsh world before they’re ready, they will wither and die.
When your seedlings reach about 4-5 inches tall, or have their first 2 sets of “true leaves”, start setting them outside for an hour or two a day. It’s best to do this in the mornings or evenings, when the sun isn’t as harsh.
After a few days, slowly extend the time spent outside.
It will take about 2 weeks of doing this, then they’ll be outside full time and ready to be planted into your garden space.
There’s nothing quite like seeing your patience and care produce a beautiful little plant!
Read my post on How To Grow Your Own Peppers for the next steps to buckets full of beautiful peppers.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
