did you know?

Although gardeners think of peppers as annuals, in their native, frost-free regions of southern Brazil and Bolivia, they grow as shrubby perennials, reaching as tall as 18 feet. Like their wild cousins, domesticated peppers thrive in heat and should not be planted outside until nighttime temperatures are above 55°F.

general maintenance:

After transplanting, remove the first blossoms before fruits set to encourage the plant to establish a healthy root system before it has to support fruit. Use black plastic mulch to retain soil moisture, keep weeds at bay, and provide the additional heat that peppers require.

pests/diseases:

Cutworms, tomato hornworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial leaf spot, and wilt may occur.

controls:

Install collars to thwart cutworms. Handpick hornworms from foliage. Use floating row covers to protect young plants from aphids and flea beetles. Space plants for adequate air circulation, and rotate crops regularly.

how to sow/plant:

Sow indoors in spring, 8?10 weeks before last frost, 1/4?1/2 inch deep. Seeds germinate best at 75°?80°F. Transplant outdoors 2 weeks after last frost, 18?24 inches apart in rows spaced 2?3 feet apart.

water and fertilize:

Keep soil evenly moist. To ensure continued fruit set, side-dress every 3 weeks with compost or a balanced fertilizer, following package directions.

garden hint:

Peppers, like tomatoes and eggplants, are warm-season crops that are sensitive to cold. Before transplanting, harden off young seedlings by gradually exposing them to cooler outdoor temperatures.

features:

• Attractive Fruit

garden uses:

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible