Peppers

Planting peppers

Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.

Planting details

• Transplant when nights are reliably warm
• Spacing: 18 to 24 inches
• Seed depth: about 1/4 inch

Growing requirements

Peppers need full sun, warm soil, and even moisture. Mulch after the soil warms to reduce moisture swings.

Harvesting and care

Pick peppers at full size, whether green or colored, since each harvest encourages more fruit. Colored peppers are sweeter but take longer on the plant.

Common mistakes

• Transplanting into cold soil, which stalls plants for weeks
• Heavy nitrogen feeding, which grows leaves instead of fruit
• Inconsistent watering, which contributes to blossom-end rot and flower drop

Companion plants

Basil, carrots, and onions are reasonable neighbors when airflow and root space are maintained.