Growing green peppers is an ideal choice for any aspiring gardener. With a little hard work and care, pepper plants can be grown to produce crunchy, plentiful vegetables that make those in the supermarket or vegetable market pale in color. Since plants need care to bloom, knowing how to properly grow green peppers is vital to becoming a successful gardener.
Steps
Step 1. Choose a variety of green peppers that grows well in the area where you live
There are a number of types of green pepper plants available on the market, some tolerate more heat or cold than others, so you need to choose one that best suits your climate. Check the packaging of the seeds for an indication of where they grow best, or ask a gardener or sales assistant for help. You can also research online the strains that do best in your area.
Step 2. Plant the green pepper seeds inside
Plant them about 7-10 weeks before transplanting the seedlings outside. Germination mats are a great choice for planting peppers, because they will keep the seeds warmer and moist than standard planters.
Step 3. Keep the seeds constantly warm
Only water them when you feel the dry soil touching it. If possible, place the seeds under an infrared lamp to help the seeds reach a constant temperature of around 27 degrees while they stay inside, which will help them grow faster.
Step 4. Dig a trench
Try to plant the young pepper seedlings when they are about 18 cm tall, and spacer them about 45 to 60 cm. The ideal place to plant is in full sun in rich and well-ventilated soil.
Step 5. Transplant the peppers into the trench
Try doing this 2 to 3 weeks after the last spring frost in your area. The outside temperature and that of the soil should be consistently not lower than 18 degrees. If you buy seedlings from the local nursery, this is also the ideal time to transplant them into your garden.
Step 6. Cover the roots of the pepper plants
Use a uniform mixture of earth dug up from the trench and compost, which will provide vital nutrients for growing plants.
Step 7. Water the green peppers regularly
The soil should always be moist and warm to encourage plants to flower and grow.
Step 8. Cover the plants with a plastic bell
Do this if temperatures drop below 18 degrees during the evening. Bells protect delicate flowers and keep plants warm.
Step 9. Grow the peppers to grow a minimum of 7.5 to 10cm before plucking them
This takes about 50-70 days from the time of transplant, depending on the variety of peppers.
Advice
- If the leaves of the green pepper plant wilt, the plants are likely too hot. Try increasing the amount of cold water, shade the plants during the hottest hours of the day, or remove any plastic sheeting or mulch from the soil around the plants.
- Avoid using chemical fertilizers for growing peppers. The nitrogen from the chemical additives is too aggressive, and will grow large stems that do not produce peppers.
- The perfect outside temperature for growing green peppers is around 24 degrees during the day and 18 degrees at night. Any warmer or colder temperature will stop plant growth and prevent peppers from developing.
- Plant the pepper seeds indoors in a planting container also made from some recycled packaging. Place this container on the cover of the central heating unit or on top of a hot radiator or radiator. Put a cover under the box if the temperature gets too high.
