There are different types of hot peppers.They add a kick to sauces and salsas.You might want to grow your own hot pepper.Learning how to grow hot peppers can be done with a knowledge of the plants' needs.
Step 1: The final frost of the season is about 10 weeks away.
If you plant pepper seeds directly into the garden soil, they won't grow well.They need to grow in a controlled environment.The end of winter can be hard to predict.The seeds are expected to be sown around the end of January or the beginning of February.If you live in a warm climate, you have more freedom when it comes to starting plants.
Step 2: Start the seeds with wet paper towels.
2 paper towels are folded into small squares.Wet the paper towels.Put the seed on one paper towel and the other on another.Put the wet towels in the bag with the seed.The seeds will grow in about a week if the bag is kept at a temperature of 70 to 80 F.The environment provided for the seed to start growing is similar to an incubator.Keep a heat lamp on the seed bag if your house isn't quite warm.
Step 3: Place seeds directly into 2 or 4 pots as an alternative.
The soil should be moist but not over saturated.Use a mat to keep the soil warm.When growing peppers outdoors, make sure your pepper is at least 6 to 8 inches tall.
Step 4: If you used the bag method, plant the sprout in a 10 cm pot.
You can transfer the seeds to a pot with good drainage if you start them in a paper towel.Under the soil is about 8 to 4 inch.Use soil that is meant for seed-starting.The bottom of the pot needs to have drainage holes.The plant should be kept in the pot for at least 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall.
Step 5: The plant needs water.
Peppers don't like soaking wet soil because they like to soak up a lot of water.Make sure the soil is moist.Plants need water if the top of the soil is crusted over.Check the soil later to see how moist it is.A soil moisture meter can help regulate the soil's water content.
Step 6: The winter is over and you should keep the plant indoors.
Continue to nurture the baby pepper plant until late spring or summer in your area.Peppers only grow in warm weather, so if there is a chance of cold, keep it inside.It is safe to move the plants outside when the weather is warm and the last frost is over.
Step 7: For a few hours a day, place the plants outside.
If you move your pepper plants from the protected inside to the harsh sun, they will not survive.For brief periods during the day, set them outside in indirect sunlight for a couple more weeks.It's a good idea to choose hours in the morning or late afternoon.Leave them out for a bit longer over the course of 2 weeks.Leave the plant out for 8 hours on the last day.Young peppers should be left out overnight until they are fully hardened off after a few weeks of spending more time outside.
Step 8: You need to dig a hole for each plant.
Not every plant or garden is the same, so this is not an exact amount.If you put the plant in the hole that is about the size of three good shovelfuls, you will have room to add sand and compost.Follow the next steps when you dig 1 hole at a time.If the hole was large enough for your plant, you can make the following ones bigger.
Step 9: Sand and compost can be put in the planting hole.
Peppers thrive in sandy soil since they started out in tropical climates.Put a shovelful of sand into the hole.Pack the sand down and compost it.
Step 10: Place the plant in the hole.
Pull the pepper plant from the pot after the compost and sand are in the hole.Carefully place it in the hole.The top of the soil that is attached to the plant should be below the hole.
Step 11: The plant has roots.
When you dug the holes, use the extra dirt to fill in around the plants.Pack the soil tightly so that it can be pressed against the roots.
Step 12: The pepper plants are 18 to 24 in (46 to 61 cm) apart.
The pepper plants will spread their leaves as they grow.It is important to plant them far apart for them to grow.
Step 13: You should make the rows 24 to 36 inches apart.
The plants can grow on both sides if the row is far enough from the one next to it.If you want a walking room between the rows, be sure to leave enough room.It is better to put them apart.You should check the recommendations for the pepper you are planting.There are some benefits from closer spacing.
Step 14: The plants should be given a thorough watering.
Take the soil from the plants and combine it with what you added around the roots.The ground doesn't become wet if you pay attention.The soil moisture meter should be transferred to your garden.
Step 15: There is a layer of mulch around the plants.
It can be difficult to maintain pepper plants that want evenly moist soil.Pack mulch around the base of the plants to keep water in the soil.The soil is protected from the sun by mulch.
Step 16: The pepper plants need water in the morning.
A good amount of water is required for hot pepper plants.You don't want to overwater them so the soil is soakingThey need to be water deep every 5 to 7 days.If you need to water the plants more often, check the soil moisture meter every day.
Step 17: Companion plants can grow around your peppers.
Some plants help peppers grow better.You can grow onions, basil, and chives to deter insects from damaging your peppers.Tomatoes and corn can be planted to give your pepper plants shade.
Step 18: The earliest date to harvest peppers is on the seed packet.
Most seed packets have a date when the plants are mature and ready to be picked.The plant yields more peppers if you harvest them at the earliest possible date.A general guide takes 75-90 days to be put into the ground.
Step 19: The peppers have different colors.
When you are ready to pick, most pepper varieties have a color range.Look at the seed packet to see what color the peppers are.What color the peppers should be at peak ripeness is listed in the packet.
Step 20: You should wear gloves when you touch the peppers.
The pepper is hot because of the oils in it.If you are not careful, some peppers can burn your skin.When it's time to pick your peppers, wear gloves that won't get on your skin.
Step 21: You should not touch the peppers on your skin.
Even wearing gloves, you are at risk of getting pepper oil on your skin.Make sure that you don't rub the gloves on your face or eyes.
Step 22: Cut the peppers from the plant.
The stalks can be broken if peppers are pulled off the plant.If you want to cut the peppers off, use garden shears or a knife.Cut off the stem of the pepper with a knife.