How to Grow Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum is a popular warm-season vegetable prized for its versatile fruits ranging from mild to spicy heat. Gardeners grow it primarily for fresh eating, cooking sauces, and preserving peppers throughout the winter months.
📷 Wikipedia: Capsicum annuumStarting Pepper: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Pepper is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings until the soil is warm enough after the last frost; peppers are frost-tender and should be moved outdoors only when danger of cold has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil by ensuring it has a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 for optimal nutrient uptake. Since this is a warm-season crop sensitive to cold, start seeds indoors only after all danger of frost has passed or wait until late spring when soil temperatures are consistently warm. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; they typically germinate within 7 to 21 days.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and healthy growth. These peppers generally do not require staking unless grown in particularly windy locations, but provide consistent moisture by watering regularly to maintain even soil dampness. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for aphids and spider mites, which can be managed with strong water sprays or insecticidal soap. Fungal issues like blossom end rot may occur if calcium levels are low; ensure consistent watering and balanced fertilization. Harvest fruits when they reach full color, usually taking 60 to 90 days from planting.
When to Plant Pepper
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
