Peppers are a beloved choice in American gardens, second only to tomatoes in popularity. With a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors, peppers can be sweet, hot, or a delightful mix of both. Even if you’re not a fan of their taste, their ornamental qualities—colorful fruits and attractive flowers—make them a great addition to any garden, including your LandGuard Garden Bed.
Planting Pepper Plants
When to Plant
Transplant pepper plants after the last frost, when the weather is consistently warm, and the soil temperature reaches at least 65°F. Before planting, harden off your seedlings outdoors gradually.
Tip for Cold Climates: To warm the soil, cover it with black plastic for at least a week before planting.
Where to Plant
Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 8 hours per day) and has nutrient-rich, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
How to Plant
Before planting, mix organic matter into the soil. Dig holes deep enough to place the plants at the same level they were in their pots. Water thoroughly after transplanting and apply a layer of finely shredded organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pepper Plant Spacing
Space your pepper plants 18 to 24 inches apart, depending on their mature size.
Starting Pepper Seeds
Start seeds indoors 8 to 12 weeks before transplanting. Pepper seeds require warm soil (about 80°F) for germination, with daytime temperatures between 70°F and 80°F, and nighttime temperatures no lower than 60°F. Keep the soil evenly moist and provide adequate light for healthy seedlings.
Growing Peppers in Pots
Pepper plants thrive in containers due to their upright growth. Select a pot that allows for root development and has drainage holes. Most varieties need a minimum pot size of 5 gallons, with larger fruits requiring larger pots.
Companion Planting
Beneficial companions for peppers include carrots, basil, parsley, tomatoes, onions, eggplant, beets, and Swiss chard. Avoid planting near kohlrabi and fennel, which attract pests harmful to peppers. Rotate nightshade family plants (peppers, tomatoes, eggplants) each year to prevent soil-borne diseases and nutrient depletion.
Pepper Plant Care & Harvesting
Pruning
Generally, pruning is not necessary for pepper plants, as they can be sensitive to sunscald.
Watering
Water peppers moderately. Too little moisture causes wilting and flower drop, while too much leads to waterlogged roots. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, increasing during hot weather.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer at planting and again when the first blossoms appear. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage growth at the expense of fruit production. If your plants have many flowers but few fruits, a magnesium deficiency may be the cause. Spray leaves with a solution of Epsom salts (2 teaspoons per quart of warm water) or side dress with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts per foot of plant height.
Staking
Most pepper plants (except dwarf varieties) benefit from staking or caging to support their brittle branches. Use stretchy materials like nylon strips for tying to prevent choking as the plant grows.
Harvesting Peppers
Peppers can be harvested at any stage, but they will be most flavorful when fully ripe. Picking some early encourages more fruit development. Use garden pruners to cut peppers cleanly from the plant, avoiding damage to the branches.
Harvesting Tip: When handling super-hot peppers like habañeros or ghost chiles, wear gloves to protect your skin.
Diseases and Pests
Pepper plants can be affected by various pests and diseases, including bacterial leaf spot, blossom-end rot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Common pests include cutworms, tomato hornworms, aphids, spider mites, and thrips. To reduce issues, choose disease-resistant varieties and practice crop rotation.
By following these guidelines and utilizing your LandGuard Garden Bed, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of peppers while enhancing the beauty of your garden. Happy gardening!
