When to Plant Peppers

When To Plant Peppers

Peppers are one of the most popular plants people grow in their gardens. Knowing when to plant peppers is important to ensure you get the best possible crop. There are many different great varieties of peppers you can grow, each that are delicious.

No matter your experience as a gardener, you can grow peppers with the right knowledge. They are one of the easier plants to grow and they often produce a good-sized harvest. From red bell to jalapeno, there are some tasty options you can grow at home.

When To Plant Peppers

Whether you grow them in your garden or a container, peppers make great plants to grow. Though they can grow in many different areas, they do best in warm weather.

There are many great varieties of sweet and hot peppers that you can grow. You can eat peppers raw or cooked, as they taste great both ways. They are great for stuffing, casseroles, grilling, salads, and much more.

Since peppers need warmth to grow, most people start growing them indoors before planting them outdoors. In most cases, growers will sow their pepper seeds in late winter or early spring indoors. Peppers will need about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date from sowing to transplanting until you can move them outside.

When To Plant Peppers Outside

Sow the seeds into pots or trays, at least one inch apart. It is best to begin growing them with a temperature around 70 degrees Farenheit.

Once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees Farenheit at night, you can transplant your pepper plants outside. Peppers will thrive in daytime temperatures of 70 to 85 degrees Farenheit.

Plant your peppers around 16 to 24 inches apart. Be sure to plant them in areas where they get at least six to eight hours of sun as peppers do best in full sun. You can plant them in garden beds or containers that are at least are at least 1.5 gallons in size.

Pepper Care – When To Plant Peppers

Pepper plants need around one inch of water a week. You should allow the soil to almost dry up between waterings. On average, you will need to water them one to three times a week.

Pepper plants do best in slightly acidic to neutral soil. The soil should be sandy loam soil that has plenty of organic matter and drains well.

When the plants begin to produce flower buds, you can use a liquid feed high in potassium on a regular basis. Tomato fertilizer can be a great option for your pepper plants. After the first peppers grow, you can switch to using a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

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Be sure to weed carefully around your peppers, being sure not to disturb their roots. If necessary, you can use cages or stakes to support your plants.

Though pepper plants strive in warm weather, they can struggle if the temperatures get too hot. If you are experiencing a heatwave, it may be a good idea to move your peppers back inside for a bit.

Best Peppers To Grow

There are many tasty varieties of peppers you can grow. You can go with the mild taste of sweet peppers or spice it up with hot peppers.

Bell

Bell peppers are one of the most popular types of peppers to grow. They are versatile, as you can prepare them in many different ways. These large sweet peppers can be red, yellow, orange, or green.

Bell peppers are great as you can stuff, grill, saute or eat them raw. Their delicious flavor goes well in a variety of dishes.

Poblano – When To Plant Peppers

Poblanos are mild chili peppers that are green in color. They are large in size and make a great pepper for stuffing. In addition, they are also great for roasting and sauteing.

Thai – When To Plant Peppers

Thai peppers are a type of hot pepper, making them great for adding some spice to your meal. They are particularly popular in Asian cuisine. They are smaller in size and can be green or red when ripe.

Jalapeno

Jalapenos are one of the most popular types of hot peppers. They taste great on tacos, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. They tend to mature faster than most hot peppers, making them particularly great for gardeners up north.

Habanero – When To Plant Peppers

Habaneros are a spicy hot pepper with just a slightly sweet kick to them. They are orange at maturity and are relatively small in size. They are great in salsas, salads, and spicy dishes.

Banana

Banana peppers are medium-sized mild chili peppers with a mild tangy taste. They are typically bright yellow in color and are great on sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. They also taste great when they are pickled.

Banana peppers

Growing Your Own Peppers

Peppers make great plants to grow, no matter your experience level in gardening. You can opt for sweet peppers or hot peppers, depending on your preference.

Plant your pepper seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost inside and once temperatures reach 55-60 degrees overnight, you can plant them outside. Be sure to water them one to three times a week and plant them in full sun. The soil should be sandy loam soil that is well-drained and use should use liquid feed high in potassium regularly when the flowers bloom.

Do you have any questions regarding when to plant peppers? If so, please ask any questions regarding growing peppers in the comment section.

FAQ’s

When to Plant Peppers Outside?

You should plant peppers outside when the overnight temperature has consistently been 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. You will want to plant them after the last frost as they strive in warm temperatures.

When to Plant Green Peppers?

Plant green pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Then, when overnight temperatures reach at least 55-60 degrees Farenheit, you can plant them outside. Plant green peppers 18-24 inches apart.

When to Plant Banana Peppers?

Plant your banana pepper seeds around eight weeks before that last frost. Plant them two weeks after your last frost or when overnight temperatures are around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

When to Plant Hot Peppers?

Plant hot peppers 8-12 weeks indoors before the last frost. Once the overnight temperatures have risen to 60 degrees or warmer, you can plant them outside.