Pepper Growing Guide
guide to growing pepper plants from seed
varieties for northern or short season areas:
-short season varieties with maturity rating of 65 to 70 days
-open pollinated heirloom varieties from which seed can be saved
-hybrid peppers with superior levels of heat, or sweetness
-varietal recommendations are available to substack subscribers upon request
Seeding:
-plant seeds in trays indoors, 7 to 8 to weeks prior to planting. This may be a week or two before the last frost date for your climate zone.
-a heat mat will encourage germination
-plant in trays or containers using soilless mix as a base
Transplanting & hardening off
-harden off for 1 week prior to planting out. Expose plants to the sun and wind slowly. Start with 4 to 6 hours/day in a sheltered location
-space plants about 18 inches apart in each row. Space rows 12 to 18 inches apart and stagger plants between rows in order to maximize airflow and minimize shading.
-at transplanting place 1/4 cup of organic fertilizer with calcium into the hole before placing the plant and tamping the soil around it.
-create a saucer shape with the plant at the center, in order to ensure water does not run away of the plant
-drive a 4 foot stake into the soil close to the roots, but not touching, and leaving 2 to 3 feet of the stake above the soil level. As the plants grow tie the main stem to the stake for support.
-a homemade cage made with stakes and strings provides additional support
Feeding:
-prepare the planting area by digging bone meal, and an organic nitrogen source, into the soil at least 6 inches deep, a few weeks before transplanting. This helps aerate the soil, encourages microbial activity, and makes it easier to transplant into.
-side dress (broadcast between plants) with alfalfa pellets 4 to 6 weeks after planting, or soak with a Alfalfa tea
Watering:
-water deeply, once or twice/week depending on how hot it is and moisture levels in soil.
-water in the evening after the sun sets, and it is cooler
-use water that has been allowed to come to ambient temperature (avoid cold water shock) and gently pour into the soil area around the plants, keeping the plants dry. This method reduces water loss to the air and surrounding areas
Growing:
-pull non-desirable volunteer plants (aka weeds), when they are still small, taking care not to disturb the roots of the Pepper plants
-mulch between plants with grass clippings or leaves
-as the plants grow use thin elastic band (used in sewing) to tie main stem to the stake about every 6 inches for support and to encourage vertical growth
-grow in full sun
-I do not recommend pruning peppers in short growing season areas
Harvesting:
-corking in Jalapeno peppers is a sign that they are ready to pick. Corking occurs when a pepper’s skin grows slower than the flesh, causing tiny tears in the skin. The white lines appear when the skin heals over the wounds.
-in other varieties, you may observe color change in peppers as they ripen. the levels of sweetness or heat may peak after the color change is complete.
-use pruning shears or sturdy scissors to cut ripe peppers from the plant. In some varieties if you push up on the stem it will easily break at maturity and you don’t need to cut
