Everything You Need to Know About Growing Amazing Peppers

Whether you want to learn more about growing bell peppers, banana peppers, or hot spicy peppers there are a few things you need to know! Peppers are a popular vegetable among home gardeners, prized for all kinds of vibrant colors, flavors, and great nutritional benefits. Peppers are absolutely one of my favorite vegetable garden plants to grow. Here is some information about growing peppers I’ve learned over the years that will help you produce healthy, robust plants and (what’s most important) a bountiful harvest.

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Where is the best spot to Plant Peppers?

As with any plant the site location is important for growing peppers. Pepper plants are warm-weather crops that prefer full sun, well-draining soil, and protection from strong winds.

• Choose a sunny location: Peppers require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, so choose a location that receives plenty of sun. If possible, choose a south-facing location for maximum sun exposure.
• Peppers prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by adding compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve drainage and provide essential nutrients.
• Peppers don’t like wet feet, so avoid planting them in soil that is too wet or compacted. If the soil is heavy clay or prone to waterlogging, consider planting your peppers in raised beds or containers. Another option would be to incorporate organic matter from leaves, grass clippings, well aged manure, or wood chips to help break up the clay soil.
• Peppers can be susceptible to damage from strong winds, so it’s a good idea to plant them in a sheltered location or provide some kind of windbreak, such as a fence or hedge.
• Rotate your crops in the vegetable garden to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases in the soil. Each year move your pepper plants to a new garden bed. Avoid planting peppers in the same location more than once every three years.

How do you plant peppers?

• Choose the right time: Peppers are warm-weather crops, so wait until the danger of frost has passed (Around here in Zone 7 Tennessee the safe planting date is around April 15th) and the soil has warmed up before planting. In most regions, this is typically in late spring or early summer.
• Prepare the soil: Peppers prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by adding compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve drainage and provide essential nutrients. Prepping beds in the fall with leaves and grass clippings is a great way to get the beds ready for peppers in the spring.
• Choose your plants: You can start pepper plants from seed indoors, or purchase seedlings from a garden center or nursery. Choose healthy plants with strong stems and dark green leaves. Of course you can always grow your own from seeds which allows you to pick from a wider variety of seed types.
• Dig planting holes: Dig planting holes that are slightly deeper and wider than the root ball of your pepper plants. Space the holes 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart, depending on the variety. Peppers can be planted like tomatoes – deep! This allows the stems to generate roots which will help the plant grow and be more drought tolerant.
• Plant the peppers: Carefully remove the pepper plants from their containers or seedling trays, and gently loosen any tangled roots. Place each plant in its hole, and backfill with soil, gently tamping down to remove any air pockets.
• Water and mulch: Water the newly planted peppers deeply, and apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the plants. Mulching helps to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

How Much Water Do Peppers Need?

Water your pepper plants regularly and deeply, but don’t overwater them. Peppers need about an inch of water per week, and they prefer moist soil, but not waterlogged soil.

• Water deeply: Peppers need deep watering, so make sure to water them at the base of the plant and soak the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. This helps the roots grow deeper, making them more resilient to drought and better able to absorb nutrients.
• Water consistently: Consistency is key when it comes to watering peppers. Water them regularly, especially during hot and dry periods, but avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot and other problems. A good rule of thumb is to water peppers deeply once a week, or more often if the soil is dry to the touch.
• Use mulch: Mulching around the base of the pepper plants can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce water evaporation. Use organic mulch such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings to help keep the soil cool and moist.
• Avoid wetting the leaves: Wetting the leaves of pepper plants can lead to fungal diseases, so it’s best to avoid overhead watering or watering in the late afternoon or evening. Water in the morning so that the foliage can dry off during the day, reducing the risk of disease.
• Use drip irrigation: Drip irrigation is a highly efficient way to water peppers, as it delivers water directly to the base of the plant and minimizes water loss due to evaporation. It also helps keep the foliage dry, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

Peppers benefit from regular fertilization throughout the growing season to ensure they have the nutrients they need to grow healthy and produce a bountiful harvest. The timing and type of fertilizer will depend on the stage of growth and the soil conditions.

When to Fertilize Peppers:

• Before planting: Incorporate a slow-release fertilizer or compost into the soil a few weeks before planting to provide a base level of nutrients.
• Early growth: Once the peppers have established themselves and are actively growing, apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, every four to six weeks until fruiting begins.
• During fruiting: Once the peppers begin to set fruit, switch to a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-10, to support fruit development.

What Kind of Fertilizer to Use:

• Organic fertilizers: Compost, aged manure, or fish emulsion are good choices for organic gardeners, as they provide slow-release nutrients and help build healthy soil.
• Synthetic fertilizers: Chemical fertilizers can be effective, but should be used sparingly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid over-fertilization, which can damage plants and harm the environment.

Pruning

• Pinch off the first flowers: I know, this is tough to bring yourself to do! When you first plant your pepper seedlings, it can be helpful to pinch off the first flowers that appear. This will encourage the plant to focus on growing stronger roots and foliage, which will ultimately result in a better harvest later in the season.
• Remove suckers: As the pepper plants grow, the plant may develop small side shoots, known as “suckers,” that grow between the main stem and the branches. These suckers can sap energy from the plant and reduce the size of the peppers, so it’s a good idea to remove them as they appear. Use a clean pair of pruning shears or scissors to cut the suckers close to the main stem. If you want a few more pepper plants you can propagate new pepper plants from the suckers.
• Cut back leggy plants: If your pepper plants are growing tall and spindly, it may be helpful to cut them back to promote bushier growth. Use a clean pair of pruning shears or scissors to cut back the stem by about a third, making the cut just above a leaf node. This will encourage the plant to produce new shoots and branches.
• Remove damaged or diseased growth: If you notice any yellowing or diseased leaves on your pepper plants, it’s important to remove them as soon as possible to prevent the spread of disease. Use clean pruning shears or scissors to cut off the damaged growth, making the cut just above a healthy leaf or branch.
• Be careful on removing too much of the leaf canopy over the peppers as the peppers are forming fruit. Direct sun on the fruit can cause sunscald which will show as a bleached spotty area on the fruit at first then turn into a darker spot that looks like rot. The fruit is still edible, just harvest it and cut out the bad spots. (See more on Sunscald on Peppers – YouTube video)

Videos on How to Propagate Peppers by Taking Cuttings

Pest control

Peppers can be susceptible to several pests that can damage the plants and reduce yields. In my experience only the hornworms have been a problem but the others could potentially be an issue from time to time. Here are some common pests that can affect peppers:

• Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects feed on the sap of pepper plants, causing leaves to wilt and turn yellow. They can also transmit plant viruses. Aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause leaves to become yellow and stippled, and may also produce webs. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Thrips: These tiny, slender insects can cause leaves to become speckled and distorted, and may also cause flowers to drop prematurely. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Whiteflies: These small, winged insects suck sap from pepper plants and can transmit plant viruses. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Cutworms: These caterpillars can cut pepper plant stems at ground level, causing the plant to wilt and die. They can be controlled by placing collars around the base of the plants or using Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) insecticide.
• Pepper weevils: These beetles can lay eggs on pepper buds, causing them to drop prematurely. They can be controlled by removing and destroying infested buds and using sticky traps.
• Hornworms: These large caterpillars can quickly strip the leaves and fruits from pepper plants. They can be controlled by handpicking or using Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) insecticide. I like to companion plant with basil nearby and the hornworms never seem to find the pepper or tomato plants nearby! Companion plants can attract beneficial insects that attack the hornworms.

When should you Harvest Peppers?

Peppers can be harvested at different stages of maturity, depending on the desired flavor and use. I always prefer having color on my peppers other than green. Peppers with color are more mature than green peppers and have a better, sweeter taste!

Here’s a general guide to when you should harvest peppers:

• Immature (green) peppers: Some varieties of peppers, such as bell peppers, are commonly harvested when they are still green and immature. Green peppers tend to be milder in flavor and have a slightly bitter taste. They are often used in salads, stir-fries, and other dishes.
• Fully mature (red, orange, yellow) peppers: As peppers mature, they change color from green to red, orange, yellow, or other shades. These peppers tend to be sweeter and more flavorful than immature peppers. Depending on the variety, they may take several weeks to reach full maturity. Once they have reached their full color and size, you can harvest them and use them in a variety of dishes.
• Overripe peppers: If peppers are left on the plant too long, they will eventually become overripe and start to wrinkle and soften. While these peppers are still edible, they tend to be less flavorful and may have a slightly bitter taste. It’s best to harvest peppers before they become overripe.

When harvesting peppers use a clean pair of pruning shears or scissors to cut the stem just above the fruit. Try to avoid pulling or twisting the pepper as that can damage the plant. I have pulled off stems when I’ve been less than careful! Once you harvest your peppers you can store them in a cool, dry place, like a refrigerator or pantry. Peppers can last for several days to several weeks, depending on the variety.

Pepper Myths

There has been a meme on the internet for years now about being able to tell the gender of a pepper by the lobes of a pepper. There is no such thing! Botanically speaking peppers have perfect flowers with both male and female parts and produce seeds in the fruit. The fruit is an ovary and doesn’t have a gender.