Growing Peppers
Peppers are one of the most rewarding and prolific plants you can grow!
Successfully Grow Peppers
Peppers are native to Central and South America where they were widely grown pre-colonization. Originally mistaken for a form of black pepper (Piper nigrum), the first pepper seeds were carried to Spain in 1493 and from there spread rapidly throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
No matter what climate or zone you live in, growing peppers is rewarding and easy as long as you follow a few simple steps. Pepper seeds can take anywhere between 7-30 days to germinate and another 1-2 months to grow large enough to transplant outside. All of the pepper starts we offer are at least 8 weeks old. Timing of your pepper planting is essential to ensuring a successful crop for the year. They are very sensitive to cold weather so make sure the nighttime temperatures are around 60 degrees F. Planting peppers outside too early in the spring with no protection and temperatures below 50˚ F can stunt the plants' growth.
Peppers thrive in full sun (at least 6 hours). When temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the pepper may drop its flowers or stop growing. Once mid-late summer hits, and temperatures begin to go down, the plant will resume growth. Mulching around the base of the plant and keeping soil moist can help keep the plant from suffering during a heat spell.
Provide consistant irrigation everyday or every other day when the plants are young to help the roots establish. Once established, waterings can be reduced to 2-3 deep waterings per week. Drip irrigation around the base of the plant is ideal. 30 minutes to an hour of drip should be sufficient depending on soil type and location.
Pinch off any flowers that form when the plant is still young. This also applies to other vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, etc. This will help send the plants’ energy back to developing roots and foilage rather than fruit.
Extremely spicy pepeprs can be much slower to mature than mild/medium spiced peppers. Usually by late summer these very hot peppers (habanero, scotch bonnet, bhut jolokia..) will begin to reach full maturity. Consistant harvests throughout the season will encourage plants to form new flowers and fruit.
Most peppers will start out green and turn red at maturity. Typically peppers are spicier when red. To further increase spice, cut the irrigation as the peppers are maturing.
Peppers can cross-pollinate easily. If you are growing multiple varieties in your garden, it’s likely your peppers will hybridize and the seeds produced will be crossed. Seeds can still be saved when the pepper turns red but the plants they produce may not be exactly like the original pepper it came from.
Once the first frost hits, pepper plants will die. However, they are technically perennials and can survive a Winter if brought back inside. Plants can either be grown in a pot or dug up and replanted in a pot before the first frost. In regions without a frost, the plant may suffer during cold nights but will likely bounce back the following Spring.