Growing Guide: Peppers
Starting
Seeds
Start your seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before you plan to set them out. The seedlings will need a warm location and lots of light. They perform well under florescent lights, and will not get leggy. Transplant outdoors when the soil is warm.
Fertilizers
Peppers need fertilizer in small doses. It's a good idea to place compost or composted manure under them when transplanting. Side-dress with a rich organic fertilizer when blooms appear.
Maintenance
When the plants start to blossom, spray them with a weak solution of Epsom salts. This provides magnesium which will help the plants produce dark green leaves and an abundance of peppers.
Cool weather may cause the blossoms to drop off. The only solution is to make sure night temperatures have warmed sufficiently before transplanting peppers outdoors. The plants will survive and more blossoms will appear.
Companions
Onions make an excellent companion plant for peppers. Hot peppers can help deter insects in the garden. See our recipe for Red Pepper Spray Concentrate, a good general insect repellent which is especially effective against caterpillars.
See Cayenne.
Resources
Virginia Cooperative Extension: Peppers
Recipes
