Grow Pepper Plants

Tips for a Bountiful Harvest:

Growing peppers in your garden can be incredibly rewarding, whether you prefer sweet bell peppers or fiery hot varieties. By following a few key steps—from selecting the right planting zone to managing soil, pests and nutrients—you'll be set for a productive and flavorful harvest.

Best Zones to Grow Peppers:

Peppers thrive in USDA Zones 3 to 11.
They require warm soil and air temperatures. No use rushing them outside in cool spring. Tempting.
For cooler zones (3-6), start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant once temperatures stabilize.
Warmer zones (7-11) can plant directly outdoors when soil hits at least 60°F (16°C).

Here's a quick guide to growing peppers (bell peppers or hot peppers),
including germination, spacing and harvest time:

Germination:

Time to Germinate: 7-14 days
Ideal Temperature: 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Tip: Use a heat mat to speed up germination indoors or a sunny window, on top of the fridge(that's what my Mom does). :)

Spacing:

Between Plants: 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Between Rows: 24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
Note: Hot peppers can be spaced slightly closer; bell peppers need more room.

🍽️ Days to Harvest:

From Transplanting: 60-90 days
From Seed: 90-120 days
Ripeness: Peppers can be harvested green or allowed to ripen to red, yellow, orange, etc.

Bonus Tip:

- Start Indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost - I start mine under lights, but a sunny window will work as well.
- Transplant Outside: After danger of frost and soil is warm
- Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours/day)
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile, with compost
- Be on the look-out for aphids.

Preparing the Soil:

Peppers prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Improve your garden bed by mixing in plenty of organic matter like compost or well-aged manure. Adding bone meal supplies phosphorus for strong roots, while wood ash provides potassium for healthy fruit development.

Fertilizing Your Peppers:

Start with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at planting time. After your plants flower, switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus but lower in nitrogen (like 5-10-10) to encourage fruit production. Apply fertilizer every 3-4 weeks throughout the season. Worm tea and compost works well for me.

Sunlight and Spacing:

Peppers need full sun, ideally 6 to 8 hours daily. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart with 24 to 36 inches between rows to allow airflow and reduce disease risks.

Companion Plants for Peppers:

Growing certain plants alongside peppers can boost growth and repel pests:

Basil:Deters aphids, spider mites and thrips
Onions, Garlic, Chives: Natural pest repellents
Carrots: Help loosen soil
Spinach and Lettuce: Low-growing companions that don't compete for nutrients.

Avoid planting peppers near fennel or brassicas like broccoli, as they can inhibit growth.

Managing Pests and Diseases:

Common pests include aphids, flea beetles, spider mites and cutworms. Use organic treatments such as neem oil, insecticidal soaps, or diatomaceous earth to keep them in check. Prevent diseases by watering at the base, avoiding overcrowding.

Nutrition and Harvesting

Peppers are a nutrient powerhouse, rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and fiber.
Harvest green peppers early for a milder taste or allow them to ripen fully to red, yellow, or orange for sweeter flavors.

Extra Tips for Success

Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds
Stake or cage plants to support heavy fruit loads - tomato cages works for me.
Prune early flowers for stronger plants. I know it's hard to do.
Harvest regularly to encourage continued production

With proper care, growing peppers in the ground is easy and rewarding. Enjoy fresh, homegrown peppers packed with flavor and nutrition right from your garden!

Links to:
Companion Planting Chart and Growing Food.

Get Your Free Garden Tools