- Note for hot peppers they can need warmer soil and heating pads can help they can take 3-4 weeks to germinate - we have a separate hot peppers link
- Start seeds inside 4-6 weeks before last frost. Set pepper plant seedlings out after the last spring frost. They grow in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens.
- Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. Pepper plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day (full sun).
- Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil when planting.
- Water immediately after planting, then regularly throughout the season. Aim for a total of 1-2 inches per week (more when it's hotter).
- Mix a continuous-release fertilizer into the soil at planting and replenish as directed during the growing season. I use rabbit manure and tea brew.
- Spread mulch (such as chopped leaves or straw) around the plants to help keep the soil cool and moist.
- Support each pepper plant with a stake or small tomato cage
- Harvest peppers with shears or a knife, then store in the fridge. Harvest often to encourage new growth. Be sure to pick all peppers before the first fall frost comes.