Peppers - the best practices

Photo by Inguna Pempere

No other vegetable offers as many choices and varieties as peppers. We can enjoy these colorful vegetables and incorporate them into a variety of delicious dishes. So, let's answer the question in this blog: how to grow peppers from seed, grow them, and harvest them.

How to grow peppers from seeds

Sowing time is important when you have decided to plant pepper seeds as plants grow better in warm conditions. Pepper seeds take aprrox. 10–17 days to germinate. The germination time of paprika can vary, both the different varieties and the temperature should be taken into account here. Pepper seeds prefer a constant temperature of 68–84 °F (20–29 °C). To maintain moisture and humidity levels, cover your seed trays with a plastic dome or use a humidity chamber.

• Preparation. Fill seed trays or small pots with seed-starting mix.

• Planting. Sow approximately 1/4 inch (about 1 cm) deep and maintain a consistently moist, but not waterlogged, level of moisture in the soil.

How to grow pepper plants

From the moment the seeds are sown to the first harvest, pepper plant grows for about 150 days, although the number of days can change depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Transplanting

When the pepper has grown 5 leaves and the temperature outside is more than 55 °F (13 °C), transplant it outside. Remember that peppers need more temperature than tomatoes, pepper growth stops below 55 °F (13 °C).

Space pepper plants 16–24 inches (40-60 cm) apart and row spacing 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) to allow the plants adequate air circulation and sunlight.

Growing peppers

By considering these factors and those below, you will be able to grow healthy plants with high yields.

Soil

Peppers like well-draining, loose, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Add compost or a little manure to the soil to improve soil structure and fertility for peppers.

Sunlight

Plant peppers in full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day) for the best growth and produce.

Watering

To maintain uniform moisture conditions, water the soil, but avoid making it soggy. Water deeply once or twice a week, more often during dry periods.

Fertilizing

When the paprika plant is growing, take in account to apply a balanced fertilizer.Too much nitrogen will create too much foliage without vegetables.

Harvesting peppers

Peppers can be harvested at different stages of maturity, it all depends on your further goals for using them.

Green peppers

Peppers are green before they turn red, yellow or orange. They can be harvested already at this stage, but it should be expected that they will be less sweet, less ready.

Color peppers

When peppers are red, orange or yellow, except for the green variety, they are fully ripe, sweet.

Harvesting

Cut a ready pepper from the plant with a knife or scissors, leaving a little stem on the plant. Do not pull them, as you may injure the plant.

Points to note about growing

Pests and Diseases

The most common include aphids, spider mites, and pepper maggots. Some diseases attack peppers, such as blossom end rot, bacterial spot, and powdery mildew. Check pepper plants regulary and apply organic or chemical controls if needed.

Staking or caging

For some varieties, it may be necessary, especially if the fruits are heavy, to keep the plants supported and from falling over.

What they like

• Peppers are warm-season plants that love heat.

• Rich soil with plenty of organic matter will support healthy growth.

• Regular watering will ensure that the pepper plant will grow evenly and will produce fruit.

• Observe the distance between the plants, as they do not like overcrowding, do regular pruning to avoid diseases.

What they dislike

• They don’t like cold weather. It can destroy plants.

• Waterlogged soil can cause root rot and other problems.

• Soil devoid of nutrients produces low yields for weak plants.

• Little direct sunlight causes pepper plants to bear less fruit and become too leggy.

Different varieties

There are wide varieties of peppers, differing in how they grow, shape, size, and flavor. The popular varieties are:

Bell

Sweet, mild. In green, red, yellow, orange, and purple color.

Cayenne

Thin and hot. Often used dried and as a spice.

Jalapeño

Medium heat. Used in salsas and also stuffed.

Habanero

Fruity flavor. Often used in hot sauces.

Banana

Mild and tangy. Used in salads and for pickling.

Poblano

Mildly hot. Often roasted and stuffed to make chiles rellenos.

Serrano

Hotter than jalapenos.

Additional tips

• Place mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, restrain weeds, and moderate soil temperatures.

• Remove the first two flowers from plant to establish root and foliage growth for a larger fruit set.

What is a good companion plant

Companion planting is the practice of growing some plants together to improve growth, repel pests, or increase yield. Well-selected companion plants can make plants healthier and more productive. Here are some excellent companion plants for peppers:

Basil

Basil is an excellent companion plant. It deters several common pests, like aphids, spider mites, and mosquitoes. Basil also attracts good bugs, such as bees and predatory wasps, which help with pollination and pest control.

Tomatoes

Since the requirements for both plant growth are similar - warm weather, full sunlight, and well-drained soil - tomatoes are compatible companions. Planting them at the same time allows for similar care. Just watch the spacing and practice good air circulation to prevent diseases like blight, which can affect both plants.

Carrots

Carrots make excellent companions; they help to break up the soil, allowing the peppers to have better aeration and root development. Aside from that, the carrot leaves can provide shade for the pepper roots, cooling the ground and locking in moisture. Both plants benefit from this, which could lead to improved growth.

Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the most popular pest-resistant plants. Planting them near peppers will protect from nematodes and aphids, and other harmful insects. Marigolds produce alpha-terthienyl, which kills nematode eggs in the soil. Their bright flowers not only make them an attractive addition to the pepper plant, but also draw in pollinators.

Onions and Garlic

Members of the allium family, such as onions and garlic, are excellent companions with pepper. These, too, exude sulfur compounds that act to repel insects naturally -including those that would prove to be a nasty pepper pest, such as aphids and beetles. Their scent may be too overwhelming for some pests to work around since many pests use their sense of smell to locate what they consider a beneficial host.

Spinach and Lettuce

You could also plant cool-season, low-growing crops like spinach and lettuce around peppers. They also act as a source of mulching for the ground, hence conserving soil moisture and suppressing the growth of weeds. As shallow root systems characterize them, they are weak competitors with the pepper plants for nutrients and hence excellent companions.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are an excellent companion plant for peppers. They deter aphids, caterpillars, and other pests away from the peppers. Nasturtiums contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem by enhancing the flavor of peppers and improving their growth.

Plants to avoid as companions

Brassicas (Cabbage Family)

Plants from the Brassica family, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale, are all unsuitable companions for peppers. All of these plants require different nutrients and growing conditions, which means they will fight for the necessary nutrients and space. Aside from this, brassicas are susceptible to pests such as aphids and cabbage worms, which may also prey on peppers.

Fennel

Fennel is believed to be allelopathic to many plants, including the pepper plant. It releases allelopathic chemicals into the soil, which can stunt the growth of nearby plants. As a result, you should keep your plants away from fennel, which is a companion.

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi belongs to the Brassica family and will not make excellent companions with peppers. Moreover, it competes with soil nutrients and can attract similar kinds of pests, thus reducing the growth and health of plants.

Beans

While beans can be a good partner for nitrogen-fixing plants, they don't work well with peppers. The climbing nature of beans, specifically pole beans, causes them to shade out plants by growing over them and blocking sunlight. Moreover, common diseases like anthracnose in beans and peppers facilitate easy transmission between the two crops.

Potatoes

Planting members of the Solanaceae, such as potatoes, with peppers in the planting configuration increases the potential for spreading diseases like blight or pests such as the Colorado beetle. Potatoes have an extensive root system and may take up nutrients and water that peppers would otherwise use.

Corn

Planting corn near peppers is not advisable as it attracts corn earworms and armyworms, which are known to attack plants. Corn is also tall, so it will cast shade on the plants and rob them of needed sunlight.

Apricot Trees

Do not plant beside an apricot tree if you already have one growing in your yard. Verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungal disease that spreads by contact and can cause extensive damage, affects both - plants and apricot trees.

Have a successful growing season, so you can eat lots of them in tasty dishes. Happy gardening.day!