Pepper Growing and Harvest Information
| Temperature | |
| Germination | 65-95F |
| For Growth | 70-85 F |
| Soil and Water | |
| Fertilizer - Medium-heavy feeder; high N; rotted manure or compost; some soils may need calcium | |
| Side-dressing - Apply at blossom time and 3 weeks later. Apply liquid seaweed 2-3 times per season. At blossom time, try spraying leaves with a weak Epsom salt mixture (1 teaspoon per quart) to promote fruiting | |
| pH | 5.5-7.0 |
| Water | medium-heavy |
| Measurements | |
| Planting depth | 1/4" |
| Root depth | 8"-4' |
| Height | 2-3' |
| Width | 24" |
| Space between plants | |
| In beds | 12" |
| In rows | 12-24" |
| Space between rows | 18-36" |
| Average plants per person | 5-6 |
| Harvest | |
| For sweet peppers, pick the first fruits as soon as they're usable in order to hasten growth for others. For storage peppers, cut the fruit with 1" or more of stem. For maximum vitamin C content, wait until peppers have matured to red or yellow colors | |
| First Seed Starting Date: 28-35 Days before last frost date | |
| Last Seed Starting Date: 115-148 Days before first frost date | |
| Companions | |
| Companions: Basil, carrot, eggplant, onion, parsley, tomato | |
| Incompatibles: Fennel, Kohlrabi | |
Where
to Grow Peppers
Peppers are strictly warm weather plants, and require at least 2 1/2 months to mature, once started seedlings have been set outdoors. They will not produce where evenings are cool, and are very tender to frost and light freezes.
Reccomended Varieties of Peppers
Pepper is susceptible to mosaic, and where it is a problem, select mosaic-resistant varieties: Keystone, belle; Staddon's Select; Yolo Wonder. Other good varieties are Ruby King; Sweet Banana; Calwonder. Hot peppers: Hungarian Wax; Hot Portugal; Long Red Cayenne. For those who like hot peppers, the scoville scale was created as a comparison tool for hot peppers.
Soil for Growing Peppers
A sandy, well-drained loam is best. Add a well-balanced fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or a favorite organic blend and work in well.
Planting Peppers
Germination in 2-3 weeks.
When - Start peppers indoors at least 2 months before they
are transplanted outdoors, then set outdoors after the days and
nights are warm, otherwise the plants yellow and stop growing.
To start indoors, use pots at least 1 1/2" wide to minimize shock,
make a stockier plant, and encourage earlier production.
Growers report that the following cold treatment of seedlings
significantly improves yields and early growth: (1) When
the first leaves appear, lower the soil temperature to 70F and
ensure 16 hours of light with grow lamps; (2) when the first true
leaf appears, thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart or transplant to 4"
pots; (3) when the third true leaf appears, move the plants to a
location with night temperatures of 53-55F; keep there for 4 weeks;
(4) return the seeding to a location with an average temperature of
70F; (5) transplant into the garden 2-3 weeks after all danger of
frost has past. Soil temperature should be at least 55-60F for
transplanting, or the plant turn yellow, become stunted, and are
slow to bear. Some recommended feeding seedlings weekly with
half-strength liquid fertilizer until transplanted.
How - In rows 2 feet apart, with 12 inches between the
plants (Pepper plants do well close together). At planting
time, mix about 2 tablespoons of well balanced fertilizer in the
planting holes and water well after planting. (Grow hot
peppers separately to prevent cross pollination with sweet bell
peppers.) Except in the west, where pepper may be mostly pest
free, use row covers immediately because pepper pests will be out
How Pepper plants grow
Pepper is a decorative plant, about 2 1/2 feet tall with handsome leaves, and at blooming time, a display of pretty white flowers. An ideal vegetable for patio gardening, pepper can be mixed in flower boarders or raised planters. If too many flowers form, the plant will naturally discard those that are not going to bear fruit.
Cultivating Pepper plants
Similar to eggplant; peppers need constant soil moisture once growing begins. Hill up soil around the base of the stems gradually to give the stems added support when bearing the fruit. Keep weeds away with shallow cultivation, or use mulches. Feed the plants again when flowers fade and fruits are forming. If the temperature rises above 95F, sprinkle plants with water in the afternoon to help prevent blossom drop.
| Storage Requirements | ||
| Hot varieties are best stored dried or pickled. Pull the entire plant from the ground and hang it upside down until dried. Alternatively, harvest the peppers and string them on a line to dry. For sweet peppers, refrigeration is too cold and encourages decay. | ||
| Fresh | ||
| Temperature | Humidity | Storage Life |
| 45-55F | 90-95% | 2-3 weeks |
| Preserved | ||
| Method | Taste | Shelf Life |
| Canned | good | 12 months |
| Frozen | fair | 3 months |
| Dried | excellent | 12 months |
| Pickled | excellent | 12+ months |
Harvesting Peppers
70-80 days. Sweet pepper are picked green, not fully ripe.
They will feel firm and crisp when ready, and should not be pulled
from the plant but cut with a sharp knife. Pepper will keep in
the refrigerator for about 2 weeks after picking before they start
to shrivel. If left on the plant, peppers turn ripe red and
the flesh is sweeter. If frost threatens, pull of the plant
and hang it in a cool place to allow peppers to ripen.
Hot pepper should ripen fully on the vine to attain their bright red
color and fully flavor, then hang to dry.
Pepper Pests
None of major importance
Pepper Diseases
None of major importance
