{"id":10746,"date":"2020-02-17T06:40:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-16T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardens.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/?p=10746"},"modified":"2025-10-30T21:16:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T11:16:15","slug":"how-to-grow-peppers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/gardens\/2020\/02\/17\/how-to-grow-peppers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Peppers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

People\nin Central and South America, Mexico, and the West Indies have grown peppers\nfor thousands of years. The explorer, Christopher Columbus, and other early mariners\nfrom the West introduced peppers to Europe in the 15th<\/sup> century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europeans\ngrew so fond of the exotic fruit, they sowed pepper throughout the known world.\nBy the 17th century, peppers were cultivated not only in Europe and the Americas\nbut also in much of Asia and Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"People
People in Central and South America, Mexico, and the West Indies have grown peppers for thousands of years. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Growing\nPeppers in Your Backyard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you planning on growing peppers this year? The colorful fruits are low in calories and abundantly rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. This makes them an excellent addition to a healthy diet and a diverse backyard garden<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\nare a few tips for growing pepper in your backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\nand Where to Plant Peppers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Only\ngardeners who enjoy long, warm growing seasons should attempt to sow pepper\nseed directly in the garden. Many of us will have to start plants indoors about\n8 to10 weeks before transplanting, which should be done 2-3 weeks after the\nexpected last frost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a sunny spot with deep, rich, and loamy soil. If the soil in your home isn\u2019t loamy, add about an inch of compost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Peppers
Peppers can double as ornamentals. (Photo: Pamela Eisenberg\/Flickr) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To get an early start in colder areas, cover the prepared bed with a dark-colored plastic mulch at least a week before transplanting. This will heat the soil beneath and improve growing conditions for young pepper plants. The mulch will also help the soil retain moisture throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers\nlike warmth, so wait to plant until nighttime temperatures have consistently\nreached 60 degrees. If possible, set out your peppers on an overcast day to\nhelp reduce stress on the plants, according to Burpee<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Choose
Choose a sunny spot with deep, rich, and loamy soil for your pepper seedlings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cultivating\nPeppers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending\non the size of the pepper varieties you intend to plant, you should space your seedlings\n12 to 20 inches apart. Peppers can double as ornamentals, so you can tuck some\ninto flowerbeds and edgings if you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers\nare thirsty plants. They will need about an inch of water a week from the\nmoment they sprout until the end of the season. However, peppers won’t endure soggy\nsoil. Be careful not to overdo the fertilizer, as well, as this will induce lush\nvegetation at the expense of fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Be
Be careful not to overdo the fertilizer, as well, as this will induce lush vegetation at the expense of fruits. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pepper plants are easily damaged when laden heavy with fruit. For support, tie the plants to stakes using old nylons or cotton string. Don’t use wire twist-ties. These are likely to choke or even snap the stem of your plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to pinch off any early blossoms. This won\u2019t harm the plants. Pruning will direct the plants’ energies into growing. You\u2019ll get more large fruits later in the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For
. For support, tie the plants to stakes using old nylons or cotton string. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting\nPeppers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both\ngardeners and farmers typically harvest peppers while the fruit is still\nmaturing. The traditional bell pepper, for example, is harvested green. Frequent\nharvesting increases yields. If you constantly harvest the peppers before they\nmature, the plants will continue to produce fruit in a bid to produce viable\nseed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most\npepper varieties will mature red, orange, or yellow. Peppers can be harvested\nat any stage of growth, but their full flavor will not develop until they\u2019ve\nmatured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Most
Most pepper varieties will mature red, orange, or yellow. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Good\nFlavor – with a Stinging Punch!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For\nmaximum flavor, you should eat peppers on the same day they are picked. You can\nalso leave them on a kitchen counter for a day or two to ripen. Do not place\npeppers in your refrigerator\u2019s crisper drawer. Peppers do not store well in\ncold temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful when cooking with hot peppers like ‘Habanero’ and the ‘Thai Dragon.’ Capsaicin, the chemical that produces the ‘heat’ in hot pepper, is contained in a volatile oil that can actually burn your skin! When handling hot peppers use latex or plastic gloves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you tried growing peppers in your garden? We\u2019d love to hear about your experiences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick video\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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