How to Grow Romanian Peppers

Fill a seed tray or individual pots with potting soil. Sow one Romanian pepper seed 1/4 inch deep every 3 inches in seed trays, or one per pot.

Dampen with water to moisten the soil. Place the trays in a warm location with full sunlight. Maintain moist soil and watch for Romanian pepper seedlings to emerge in 10 or more days.

Water the seedlings as needed and continue to grow them indoors until the last chance of frost has passed and night temperatures stay above 50 degrees. Prepare the planting area for the Romanian peppers at this time.

Choose a site in full sunlight with well-draining soil. Incorporate 2 to 3 inches of organic matter, such as compost and aged manure, into the top 6 or more inches of the planting bed.

Plant one Romanian pepper plant at the same depth every 18 inches in rows spaced 24 inches apart. Water the transplants thoroughly and then apply a water-soluble starter fertilizer to each one. Place a tomato cage around each plant.

Add a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of each Romanian pepper plant but don’t put mulch within 3 inches of the pepper plant’s stem. The mulch keeps weeds from growing and competing with the shallow roots of the pepper plant.

Supply 1 inch of supplemental watering weekly to the Romanian peppers when there is no rainfall.

Feed the Romanian pepper plants with a balanced fertilizer one month after planting and monthly thereafter until harvest. Spread the fertilizer around the base of the plants and then water them well.

Harvest the Romanian peppers at any time they are the desired size or color. Use a sharp knife or hand pruners to cut the fruits without damaging the plant. The pepper will change to red when fully ripe.