Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on growing pepper plants from seed in your backyard garden.  Peppers find a spot in my garden every season.  I grow them from seed.  So, my harvest includes lots of Jalepeno, Belle peppers of every color, chili peppers and sweet banana peppers.   

Growing Pepper Plants From Seed

I start my seeds using the winter sowing method about 8 – 10 weeks before I plant them in my garden. You can also grow pepper plants from seed under grow lights.  Actually, peppers have a lot of requirements that the tomato has.  So, I actually start my tomato seeds the same time I start my peppers.  Furthermore, I plant my tomatoes and peppers at the same time in the garden and in the same vicinity.  Since they have the same needs, I can water and fertilizer them at the same time.  

Correct Spacing for Pepper Plants 

If you decide to grow both, make sure you give your tomato plants more space to grow.  They will be taller and grow wider than pepper plants.  Both need full sun, at least 6 – 8 hours of sunlight per day is good. As a result, I plant my tomatoes in one or two rolls and my peppers in another roll with 3 feet of space between them. You want to make sure your plants have good air circulation. 

Also, plant your tomato at least 24 inches apart.  You will need to get between them harvest your delicious treats and maintain them.  I plant my peppers about 20 inches apart.  So, lets focus on peppers.  

Decide the type of peppers that you want to grow.  If you don’t want to grow them from seed, or you’re simply not ready to take that step, it’s all good.  You can purchase plants from the local nursery.  Better yet, you may find a local gardener who has too many plants and would love for you to take them off their hands.

My family eats a lot of hot spicy foods, so jalapenos are a must.  I also plant a variety of belle peppers.  I freeze them to add to chili, salsa or other foods during the winter.  They’re also great fresh on a vegetable tray for a BBQ, girls night or baby shower.  Chili peppers are great in salsa or chili too.  My point, grow what you and your family will eat.  

Planting Pepper Plants in Your Garden: 

• Once the ground has thawed and is workable, transplant your seedlings to a container or plant in your garden. If you’re using a container make sure it is large enough for the plant to grow in and you can fit a stake or trellis in.  They have small stakes and trellis for containers. You can make one out of a small branch or find one at your local garden center. 
• Add lots of compost or organic matter to your soil while preparing your soil.  I use composted leaves; however, I use Black Cow compost too.  
• Plant your peppers so they are sitting at ground level in the pot.  Remove the plant and backfill your hole.
• Water thoroughly and regularly until the plants are established.  I’m in Zone 6B.  In July and August, I still have to water my garden regularly.

• Stake your pepper plants.  I use untreated garden stakes from Home Depot.  
• Mulch your plants with chopped leaves or straw.  
• You will need to tie your pepper plants to the stakes so they don’t touch the ground when fruit develops.  So, it’s important that you put your stake in place when you plant your seedings or plants.  You can cut an old tee-shirt into strips, panty hose, use yard or whatever soft material you have on hand.  Don’t have time to cut up tees or hose, purchase twist ties from your local Dollar Store.  You can save them from year to year, I do. 

I love being able to walk down to my garden and pick a few peppers off the vine for whatever dish I’m making.  Home grown peppers have a different flavor from the store brought variety.  As a result, I grow enough to preserve during the winter months.  There’s nothing like locking in freshness and saving it for another day.