Spicy or not, adding peppers to your dish never fails to enhance flavor, especially if they are homegrown. Add a pop of color to your garden this summer with these versatile fruits.

How to Keep Peppers Happy

Peppers are a warm-season crop that should be planted when soil and air have warmed, with nights steadily above 55°F. We recommend waiting one to two weeks past your region's average last frost date to plant. Space your pepper plants 18 to 24 inches apart (depending on variety), or one plant per 18-inch (or larger) pot. Use a stake or tomato cage to provide the plant with support—this will prevent them from falling over.

How Much Light Do Peppers Need?

Peppers love nice, sunny spots that receive a good amount of heat. Plant your peppers in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun daily.

How Do I Know When to Water My Pepper Plant?

It is important your pepper plants grow in soil that is consistently moist. When the top inch is dry, give it a good watering.

How Do I Use Plant Food for My Pepper Plant?

Plant food is an important part of fostering healthy growth. We recommend feeding your pepper plant with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food once every 7 to 14 days. The plant fertilizer instantly feeds to grow bigger, more beautiful plants compared to unfed plants. Just mix with water according to package directions and feed at the base of the plant -it's that easy.

What Is a Pepper Plant's Ideal Environment?

Peppers grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Just ensure that the soil contains a good amount of moisture and they have enough space to grow.

How Do I Harvest My Pepper Plant?

The color of peppers shift from green to red, yellow, or orange as they ripen. You can pick peppers at any point in their color journey; just remember flavors change as colors intensify. The longer hot peppers remain on a plant, the stronger the heat becomes. Use shears to cut peppers from the plant, leaving a short stub of stem attached to help the pepper last longer. Rinse harvested peppers with water, pat them dry, and then store them in your refrigerator.

How to Address Common Pepper Issues

Peppers are a gardener's dream. Common pests aren't huge pepper fans, and there are many disease-resistant varieties to choose from! If your pepper plants look a bit worn, however, they may be infected with viruses spread by aphids and other small insects. You can take action by using an insecticide specially formulated for use of fruits and vegetables. One other issue to be aware of are sudden frosts. You will need to cover your plants any time frosts are predicted.

What to Do if I Still Have Questions

Our plant experts are here for you if you need advice about peppers or buying herb and vegetable plants online. With a vast array of plants for delivery, you'll be sure to find the right option to elevate your space. Visit our website, email at [email protected], or chat live with a Greendigs team member to get all of your growing questions answered.

Sources

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