How to Transplant Peppers

Set the potted pepper seedlings outdoors seven to 14 days before the planned transplant date. Place them in an area protected from high winds, precipitation and direct sunlight, such as on a covered patio. This acclimates the seedlings to outdoor conditions.

Leave the plants outdoors for four hours during the daytime for the first two days. Gradually increase the time spent outdoors while also increasing sunlight exposure each day until the peppers are remaining outside from sun up to sun down.

Prepare a full-sun planting bed before transplanting. Till the soil, loosening the top 6 to 8 inches of topsoil.

Dig the planting holes in the garden with a trowel to the same depth as the pepper's pot. Space the holes 15 inches apart in the row and space the rows at least 18 inches apart.

Place your hand over the top of the seedling pot with the pepper stem protruding between your fingers. Turn the pot upside down in your hand and squeeze the pot's sides lightly until plant and soil slide out.

Set the pepper plant in the prepared hole so it is at the same depth it was at in the seedling pot. Fill in the hole with soil and firm the soil surface around the stem with the palm of your hand.

Water the pepper plants immediately after transplanting, so that the soil settles around the roots and the plants have instant access to the moisture. The peppers may wilt slightly following transplanting but perk up again in two to three days.