{"id":2369,"date":"2019-06-06T09:41:32","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2369"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:09:43","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:09:43","slug":"14-care-tips-for-peppers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-care-tips-for-peppers\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Care Tips for Peppers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Peppers are plants that are fun to grow and easy for most people. With the right conditions, peppers grow easily and do not require a lot of work. Growing your own peppers can be a great way to have them on hand for your favorite recipes or anytime you want a delicious snack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers are great for making salsa, adding to salads, and using in a variety of different dishes and meals. Peppers can be grown in a garden, flower bed, or containers. They are perfect for both big and small gardens and can be even be grown on apartment balconies if needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While growing peppers may not be difficult, like any plant, they have certain needs that must be met in order for them to grow properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in growing peppers on your own, these care tips can help ensure that you are successful and have plenty of peppers all season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Give Them Plenty Of Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peppers need a lot of water, but you have to be careful not to overwater them as this can cause problems.  If the peppers are not planted in a way that allows for proper drainage, the water can stay around the roots of the plant cause root rot. This can kill the plant and make it, so it doesn\u2019t produce any peppers. You also don\u2019t want to let the soil dry out.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to make sure the peppers are getting the perfect amount of water is to check the soil often and see if the soil on top if wet. The soil should be damp at all times, but you should not see large amounts of water sitting on it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people even create an irrigation system that keeps the plants watered properly. You can buy irrigation systems or make your own out of PVC pipe. If you live in an area that gets plenty of rain, you may not need to water the plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Add Nutrients<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may not want to add a strong fertilizer to seedlings; however, when your pepper plants develop leaves, you can begin adding natural manure to them to enable them to become larger and be ready to harvest sooner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilize a light compost at first to enable your plants to become sufficiently able to endure increasingly intense manures. If you don\u2019t want to buy fertilizer for your plants, utilize natural composts instead, as it’s simpler for the plants to process it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the event that you purchase compost from the store, follow all the instruction on the jug or package to ensure you are applying it to your plants the right way. You may likewise need to wear gloves when dealing with the compost since it can harm your hands. Manure can be applied routinely to solid plants; however, screen them to ensure you are not adding too much too soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few plants won’t endure it as well as others, and they may even appear to be damaged by it. In the event that your plants seem, to be harmed, take a break from it and give them time to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Give Them Light and Sun<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peppers can develop in cooler temperatures; however, they adore warmth and sun. Placing them outside in direct daylight will enable them to be ready to harvest quicker and could even help you end up with peppers. You should look at them regularly; however, to ensure the dirt around them isn’t dry, and the leaves aren’t getting singed. Water them day by day to keep them healthy and in the event that you do see indications of sun harm, consider shading them for two or three hours every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of whether you choose to start them inside or out, need to leave them close to a window so the pepper plants can get a lot of sun and warmth. If you decide to grow them in a cooler area, you may see that they develop alright, yet grow at a much slower pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers developed in the shade are less inclined to age appropriately before winter. If you do notice that your plants aren’t developing appropriately, it might be due to the fact that they aren’t in a hot area of your yard or garden and need some shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Plant Them At The Right Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s a smart thought to pick peppers that develop rapidly and are adjusted to grow in cooler temperatures. Peppers do require a good bit of time and some effort to develop and mature on the vine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the off chance that you plant them later than typical, you may find that you are still waiting for them to mature in the fall. Selecting peppers that can endure the cooler temperatures will guarantee they have a lot of time to mature and won’t be killed by cold weather. It\u2019s worth taking the time to find out which kinds of peppers develop rapidly and which ones can endure the colder temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find several different types of peppers that are adjusted to cooler atmospheres. Try not to endeavor to rush your way through the summer and give your peppers as much time as they need, so they taste extraordinary when it comes time to pick them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the event that you do find that your peppers need more time to mature, consider planting them in pots so they can finish maturing inside while the weather cools down outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Choose A Good Location<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember when developing the peppers from seeds, that the time periods on the seed bundle do not represent real seed germination. You should anticipate that seedlings should take at least a month and a half longer to develop than what the seed package claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, you have to purchase your seeds and plant the seedlings early, so they get an opportunity to adjust to their transplant area before it ices. This will likewise guarantee that your pepper plants have sufficient energy to mature before colder weather sets in and slaughters the plants. Peppers can develop in both warm and cool temperatures, yet the mild weather has an effect on their development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will develop a lot quicker in a hotter climate; however, they will develop progressively strong in colder temperatures. Think about the seasons and temperatures in your area and pick where to or how to develop your peppers for the best outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Maintain Early Blooms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are growing something, you are always excited to see the first blooms pop up. That shows that all your hard work is paying off, and your plants are doing well. It means you will likely have a nice harvest at the end of the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers can have some early blooms, and if you want to ensure that the plant grows strong and produces more peppers, you should pinch off those early blooms. Just use your fingers to gently pinch them and pull them straight off the plant, being careful not to damage the plant. If you have outdoor snips or scissors that you use on your plants, you can also use them to cut off the blooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will allow the plants to focus on growing new roots and new peppers. It will take a little longer before your pepper mature and are able to be harvested, but it will help your plant produce more peppers over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Watch For The Sun<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peppers are plants that love a lot of sun, but their roots can\u2019t tolerate direct sunlight. If you need to transplant the pepper plants at any point in time, you should do so on a day that is overcast or in the evening before the sun is at its strongest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roots of the plant can dry out quickly which can kill it. If you are transplanting peppers, you should do so quickly. The longer they are out of the ground, the higher the risk of them drying out and going into shock. It\u2019s a good idea to have the new area ready for the plants so you can plant them as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also make sure the soil is nice and damp before you add the plants. You can also water them right after you plant them, but if the dirt is wet from the beginning, the plants will have a better start and faster recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Mulch The Base<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peppers need to grow in soil that is well-drained, and mulch can help with that. Mulch forms a protective barrier around the base of the plant to protect it from wind and too much rain. It will also protect the roots from getting burnt or dried out by the sun. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should try to add organic mulch when possible as it will allow the plants to absorb nutrients more easily and prevent root rot. You can also add things such as newspaper shavings and even grass clippings. The mulch will also help prevent weeds from growing underneath the peppers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppers can\u2019t compete with weeds for nutrients, so anything that helps prevent them will make the peppers grow stronger. You should replace the mulch each year if possible. If you are planning the peppers in containers, you can still add mulch around the bases of them. You can also add compost on top of the mulch if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Start Early<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most tropical regions of the world, bell peppers are a perennial plant, lasting through the seasons. However, bells do not thrive in colder climates, and they may only fruit during the summer in these regions. If you live in the Northern States, then it’s best to grow bell peppers in a greenhouse so you can have fruit all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell peppers have a long growing season, with the fruits finishing after a period of between 90 and 100-days. Therefore, if you live in a region of the world that has minimal sunlight hours, or a shorter summer than other countries, then you should start your bell pepper seedlings indoors before planting them in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don’t need to purchase bell pepper seeds to start your garden. The seeds from organic peppers you buy at a farmer’s market or organic stall will suffice. Start your seedlings off indoors, in the three weeks before the start of spring, if you live in the Northern States, and you’ll have your crop in time for the end of summer.
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10. Choosing Your Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with planting the seeds found in peppers bought at your local organic food store. However, if you want to grow a variety of peppers, here are our top recommendations for the best types of peppers in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canary bells \u2013 These yellow peppers typically sell at a higher price than green or red peppers, due to their long growing season. These peppers take more than 100-days to finish to a final size of nearly 4-inches in girth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big red \u2013 This bell takes around 75-days to reach maturity, with the pepper turning from green to red as it starts to ripen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coral bell \u2013 These orange-looking peppers produce 4-lobe fruits after 75 to 85-days of growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

California wonder \u2013 These peppers are excellent when green and picked from the plant, or leave them for a few more weeks to develop a red color and sweet taste. These bells are TMR (tobacco mosaic virus) resistant and reach maturity in 75-days.
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11. Transplanting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may be tempting to plant your peppers in the garden early, but you should wait until the seasonal frosts end, and then wait for a further 3-weeks to ensure there are no additional cold snaps that could kill the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell peppers don’t respond well to cold environments, and if you plant them during a cold spell, they are likely not to take and die. Before you place your peppers outdoors, take a week to acclimatize the plants to the weather and external; environment. Take them outdoors during the peak sun hours of the day, and then bring them indoors overnight. This hardening process helps the pepper plant transition from one environment to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s vital that the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 65\u00b0F before transplanting your peppers. Transplanting is especially stressful on the plant. Therefore, it’s best to give them at least 18-inches of room between other vegetables in the garden.
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12. Pest and Disease Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, not only are bell peppers sensitive to environmental factors, but they also suffer from overwatering and poor soil drainage conditions as well. It’s reasonably common for bell peppers to develop root rot and fungal disease, causing a state of permanent wilting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overly moist conditions affect bell peppers, particularly the root systems of the plant. As a result, the peppers may develop “blossom end rot,” this disease creates dark, sunken spots on the fruit. Blossom end rot is reasonably common in organic bell peppers, and it’s a symptom of calcium deficiency in the plant. Blossom end rot rarely occurs in GMO fruits because they grow in optimal climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a variety of reasons why the peppers may be calcium deficient, even with adequate levels of calcium in the soil. If the pH of the earth is too low, then the plants may not be able to absorb the required amount of calcium to fruit properly.
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13. Soil and pH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bell peppers thrive in warm, moderately wet climates, with plenty of sunlight. If you reside in the northern states, and you are not growing your peppers in a greenhouse, then you can cover the ground around the plant with a black plastic trash bag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This insulation helps to lock the moisture into the soil while keeping the area around the roots warm on colder days and nights. However, when the weather starts warming up, you’ll need to remove the plastic sheet, or you run the risk of killing the beneficial bacteria in the soil, wrecking the pH and nutrient value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell peppers love fertile, loamy soil, with a neutral pH. Watering is a critical part of ensuring your plants come out looking fantastic, and yield the best fruit. Ensure that you evenly water the pepper plants, as overwatering or under watering will affect the yield. Watering between 1 and 1- \u00bd-inches weekly will be sufficient for healthy pepper plants.
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14. Harvesting Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting your peppers is all about personal preference. Most peppers are ready after 75-days, and if you pick them from the plant at this stage, they are typically green in color and have enough flesh to eat. However, the longer you leave the peppers on the plant, the sweeter the taste. You’ll also notice some peppers start to turn color from green to red, to purple or brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The color changes occur due to the increase in natural sugars in the pepper. As the peppers mature, they increase their vitamin C content as well. When harvesting your bells, it’s vital that you do so with a sharp knife and a steady hand. The last thing you want to do is accidentally shake the plant while harvesting, resulting in underdeveloped peppers falling to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rinse your peppers with purified water to remove any toxins and soil from the surface of the pepper. Dry the fruit and then store it in the crisper bin of your fridge. Your peppers should last for up to 10-days after picking if stored correctly.
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