Green peppers

                                                                              By Josh Randel May 08, 2023

vegetable annual planted in late April or May, for a harvest that could yield fruit two times a year summer/fall. Peppers are particular but easy to grow. They have a shallow root system, are kinda about heat and cold. If peppers are protected from the elements correctly, wintered properly, a plant could live 2-3 years. Pepper family has a large grow potential depending on variety 1-10 f, most only grow 3-4 feet tall. 3–5-gallon bucket or something of that volume would be a better choice if you want to grow in a container. 

Plant and Go

Depth: ¼-1/2 in Space: 18-24 Row: 30-36 in Temperature: 70-80F Germ: 8-15 

Soil: Moist/Well-drained Harvest: 60-90 days Container: 3-5 gallon        

Water: 1-2 inches per week Sun: Full/6-8 hours Fertilizer: 5-10-10 

Fertilizer Freq: Every 2 weeks Botanical Name: Capsicum Annuum  

Details

Peppers are very sensitive to cold. Most plants grown from seed are started indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost. If it is directly sown outside make sure all signs of frost have passed. Sow seeds in a tray, or permanent container at depth of ¼ - ½ inch deep 1 or 2 seeds at a time about 1-2 inches apart and rows 30-36 inches apart. Then cover with plastic and a few small holes to create a simple green house. Seeds can take about 8-15 days to germinate. Once the seeds emerge move tray/container to a sunny spot indoors for 6+ hours a day. Seedlings don’t like being crowded, thin to give seedlings to 1-2 inches apart or one per tray section. Goal is getting the best seedlings in the grown. You’ll know the seedling is ready when there’s 5-8 true leaves and between 6-8 inches tall and may have flowers. 

Prepare a spot in full sun. Dig a hole bout twice as wide as the root ball, 1 inch deep, mix in organic material and wait for the day to trans plant. When its time to transplant start by hardening off then plant. To harden leave outside for a few hours at a time, do for 2-3 days, then plant or leave outside. To transplant place the seedling bottom leaves are just above the ground. Green peppers like 1-2 inches of water per week, moist and well drained. Plants will show obvious signs of over or underwatering, like dropped flowers. Fertilize twice a season, at transplant and when peppers start to appear. 5-10-10 works well for green peppers. Temperatures should in the day be around 70-80F, and at night 65-75F. If temperatures get to around 50F cover the plants to protect them, and use shade if temperatures get above 90 for too long. 

Harvest 

Fully maturity is about 90 days or so for a single pepper. At that point its reached its final color, and storage life has shortened. You could get 2 harvests if you chose to harvest a few at a time when the peppers are designed diameter, is green, and skin firm. Remove by cutting the stem to keep it from damaging the plant. A single plant could have up to 6-8 peppers growing at one time.

Tip

If growing from grocery store produce seeds come from mature peppers have a better chance of germinating.

Fun Fact

Big Jim Chile peppers holes the world record as the longest pepper at 14 inches. 

Conclusion

Green peppers is a very interesting plant with a rich history. It takes 1-3 plants to feed 1 person. How ever you decide to grow its always a good idea to grow more then one plant if you don’t have much experience. Just watch the soil, prune as needed. Then enjoy the harvest!