Whether you grow hot or sweet peppers, you need to give them a head start so I don’t recommend sowing the seeds outside.
Indoor Sowing Tips:
In order to germinate, pepper seeds prefer a temperature between 70°F and 90°F. Based on this, start the seeds under grow lights and with a seed heat mat underneath the seed tray.
Sow the seeds in seed trays 1/4″ deep around 2 to 3 months before the last average spring frost under grow lights.
While I initially water the seeds from above until the seeds germinate, I switch to water from below in the seed tray. Another option is to saturate the soil before you so the seeds in the seed tray and then water from below. With this method you can avoid, having the seeds move from one cell to another.
Transplant the pepper seedlings to a 4 inch pot in the grow room once there are a few sets of true leaves and continue to water them from below in the seed tray.
Don’t forget to harden off the seedlings before transplanting in late spring or early summer.
Space the pepper seedlings about 1 foot apart.
Growing Tips:
If you plant your pepper seedlings too early, you might want to consider using pvc or powder coated flexible steel wire hoop tunnels and mosquito netting to deter aphids and flea beatles. Also, if there are crazy temperature swings, then be prepared to use some garden fabric on the hoops because pepper plants do not enjoy cold nights.
Provide compost when planting and plant food that is higher in calcium and phosphorus once a month or as needed.
Keep pepper seedlings and plants moist but not soggy by using a drip system.
Support the pepper plants with a coated steel stake and reusable stretch ties like Vigoro or Velcro garden ties in case it gets too windy or in case you get too many peppers which is a happy problem! Depending on the height of the pepper plant, you will need to get a stake that is about 6 inches longer so you can bury the 6 inches in the soil.
Pepper plants love companion plants that are smaller in size because they want to be the main attraction. For instance, use short flowers to attract pollinators to your garden and to make it colorful and pretty. Another option, is to use short leaf veggies like bibb lettuce, arugula and spinach. These companions will keep
While peppers like the heat, they fruit best when the temperature is between 65°F and 85°F.
