There are two ways to grow peppers: from seeds or transplants. Many of the gourmet peppers aren't readily available at garden centers or nurseries, so you might have to start them from seed. They should be started indoors or in a greenhouse six to eight weeks before you intend to set them in the garden.
If it's late in your area to start seedlings, look for healthy transplants that are short and stocky and don't have blooms or fruit forming. They should have dark green foliage. Lightly brush the tops of the plants with your hands. If white flying insects appear, avoid those plants; they are probably infested with whiteflies.
To avoid crowding problems later, space peppers 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 2 to 3 feet apart. Set bamboo stakes next to young plants. They will come in handy later in the season as the peppers become topheavy with fruit. Use twine to loosely tie the plants to the stakes. Mulch, spread around the base of the plants, will help keep moisture in and weeds out.
Wait to set your peppers out until two to four weeks after your last frost or when night temperatures are above 60 degrees. If planted too early, peppers will wait until the soil warms before they'll flush with foliage.
A sprinkle of slow-release fertilizer, such as 12-10-5 or 14-14-14, in the soil at planting time, followed by light doses of liquid fertilizer, such as 15-30-15, throughout the growing season, will keep them healthy. Don't overfeed--this can lead to blossom drop.
Small white blooms are a signal that peppers will soon be forming. The fruit can be harvested once it reaches a usable size. Use a sharp pair of clippers or a knife to remove it from the stem. When picking hot peppers, such as jalapños or habaneros, you might want to wear gloves. Never rub your eyes after touching these fiery fruits.
- Loading comments...
