Tips for Growing Peppers

Last week I transplanted my ‘Red Beauty’ and ‘Baby Belle’ peppers to the garden. We’re a pretty benign climate here at the San Diego coast but I still usually wait until late May. Peppers like it hot. We’re in June gloom now but the soil is warm and they will take off soon.

This pepper and eggplant staking system from Gardener’s Supply gives the pepper plants the support and guidance they need. The branches break easily under the weight of large peppers or when fussing with the plants. I’ve lost many in the past when the plants flop sideways with their bounty.

When your pepper plants are shorter than 12” snip off the first set of leaves and any flower buds. By delaying fruit production the plant’s energy goes to growing strong stems and more leaf surface. Ultimately, you will grow more peppers that ripen faster. I tell clients “teenagers shouldn’t have babies.” Same advice goes for pepper plants.

How to Grow Peppers

My go-to resource for tips on growing various vegetables is Harvest to Table. You’ll find reliable information you can use to grow a bevy of gorgeous and flavorful peppers. Here are some of the topics:

Starting Pepper Seed Indoors
Planting Peppers Outdoors
Growing Peppers in Containers
Watering, Feeding and Caring for Peppers
Pepper Pests and Diseases
Harvesting Peppers
Storing and Preserving Peppers

I just used the last of my frozen diced peppers recently so I’m ready for pepper season.

Some years I have peppers and eggplant at Christmas. Hoping for that this season.