How to plant peppers

The Capsicum annuum , better known as pepper, is the most popular plant of the Capsicum genus, whose use has now spread throughout the world thanks to the well-known nutritional value of its fruits. Thanks to its high productivity and the enormous number of varieties it offers, today the pepper is one of the most common and popular crops in the gardens of gardening and horticultural enthusiasts.

If you want to enjoy your own peppers at home, join us in this article in which we will see how to plant peppers step by step .

When to plant or sow peppers – ideal season

When it comes to planting peppers , the most accepted method that provides the best results is to sow the pepper seeds in protected seedbeds , for approximately 2 months after transplanting them to their definitive pot or garden area, where they can already develop safely. .

For this process, it is recommended to plant the seeds between February and March . The idea is that the plants avoid the most intense cold season, but have enough time to develop enough to be transplanted and produce in summer.

The transplant should be done approximately two months after sowing, between April and May. The ideal thing here is to observe that the minimum temperatures remain above 15ºC and that the plant already has about 6 leaves.

How to plant peppers step by step: sow the seeds

As we have already said, the best option to ensure the survival and development of your future peppers is to plant them in a seedbed in a protected environment. This is done because this plant does not tolerate cold well and germinates somewhat slowly. To prepare your seedbed and sow the pepper seeds, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a tray or container with a certain depth, at least 15 or 20 cm deep.
2. Fill the container with the substrate. It is recommended here to use compost or manure and cover the container with a transparent plastic or glass, so that the fermentation creates a warm bed effect and keeps the temperature of the container above 20 degrees. If you want your pepper seeds to germinate, it is important that the temperature does not drop below this point.
3. Place the seedbed in a sunny area, since this vegetable requires daily sun. You should start to see the seedlings 8-20 days after planting.
4. Two months after planting, your peppers should be plants about 15 cm tall. At this point, they are ready to be transplanted to their final location.

How to plant peppers step by step: transplanting the seedling

Now that you’ve seen how to plant peppers , it’s time to transplant them so they can start bearing their tasty fruits. The pepper can be located both outdoors and in a sufficiently deep pot, but you must bear in mind that it is a hot climate plant that is very sensitive to cold. For this reason, many people plant it annually despite being a perennial vegetable, since in some climates it can be difficult to make it survive the winter, especially if it is grown outdoors. To transplant the seedlings of peppers follow these indications:

• Choose a suitable location. The pepper will need a soil with very good drainage, both outdoors and in a pot, since excess moisture is very harmful to the plant. Although they are plants that appreciate light and heat, if you live in a hot climate, you should choose a location where they receive a few hours of shade a day, especially in those with more intense heat.
• If you are going to plant outdoors, dig holes leaving a space of between 40 and 50 cm between them, to give the plants enough space so that they do not compete with each other.
• Whether you plant in a pot or outdoors, the plant will appreciate a soil or substrate with a high contribution of organic matter. For pots you can use a substrate based on earthworm humus and coconut fiber, while outdoors you can use manure and compost. Once the flowering begins, renew the fertilizer every 15 days to obtain a greater quantity of fruits.
• When it comes to irrigation, it is important not to overdo the amount of water. It is recommended to water them every three or four days after transplanting them, which is when they need more moisture, but then reduce the doses to a single weekly watering.
• As a final detail, if you want to increase the production of your peppers even more, pay attention to the shoots that grow in the area between the petiole and the stem. If you remove them from your plants, the fruits will receive a greater amount of nutrients and will grow larger and tastier.