Hints on How to Grow Sweet and Bell Peppers

Starting From Seed

• Grow sweet peppers from transplants as opposed to sowing pepper seed directly in the garden. Sow the pepper seeds indoors in a warm room two to three months before outdoor planting time. Start them in a shallow container with peat-based potting mix or in individual peat pots. Keep the tray or peat pots moist, using room-temperature water, and at a constant temperature of 80 to 85 degrees F. The plants should sprout in about a week. Keep them in a bright, sunny area with a room temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F. Lower the room temperature to between 60 and 65 degrees F three to four days prior to planting them outside, and allow the top of the soil to dry slightly.

Buying Seedlings

• You may want to purchase seedlings at planting time, rather than growing your own. Do not purchase seedlings if they are blooming or already have peppers on them. Such plants will be weak and may not survive transplanting into a garden. Do not select plants that are spindly and sparse looking or plants with blemishes. Purchase strong, healthy-looking plants with sturdy stems and dark green foliage.

Improve the Soil

• Prepare the garden area in the fall. Use a soil pH test kit to make sure the soil has an acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7 or send a sample to the local Extension office for testing. Add organic matter such as well-aged compost, manure and leaf mold, and till into the garden soil until it is completely incorporated. Mix 2 to 3 inches of perlite or bark mulch into the soil to improve drainage if necessary. Peppers like organically rich soil that drains quickly. If the soil is heavy clay, create a raised garden area for the peppers.

When to Plant

• Wait until two to three weeks after the last spring frost to plant the peppers in the garden. Cover the planting area with black plastic sheeting two weeks prior to planting to warm the soil. The soil should be between 60 and 70 degrees F for successful transplanting. Do not rush the peppers into the garden when it is too cool. Cover the newly planted peppers with floating row covers in areas where temperatures stay below 80 degrees F during the day.

Planting Tips

• Spread a light dusting of Epsom salts or dolomitic limestone over the garden at planting time and mix it into the soil. This will give the pepper plants a boost of magnesium for better fruit production. Dig the planting holes 8 to 10 inches deep. Mix one teaspoon of 5-10-10 fertilizer into 1 cup of compost and place it in the bottom of the hole just before planting the pepper. Space multiple plants 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart to give them plenty of room to grow with good air circulation.

Watering Tips

• Water the pepper plants deeply once or twice per week rather than frequent shallow waterings. Save empty plastic 1-gallon milk jugs, poke a one-quarter-inch hole in the bottom of one corner of each jug, and place a jug next to each pepper plant with the hole right next to the stem. Place these on the north side of the plants to avoid blocking the sun. Fill the gallon jugs in the morning. Or you can water with a soaker hose, but don't spray from above, especially when the plants are blooming. The water can wash the pollen away from the flowers.