Pepper Planting Guide

Melody Acres Hobby Farm

Pepper Planting Guide

Peppers (Capsicum annuum) are long-season, heat-loving annuals in the Solanaceae family which includes eggplants, tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes and ground cherries.

• Bells- Oblong lobed fruit that is sweet and red or yellow when ripe, also eaten in the immature green stage.
• Specialty – Long tapering fruits are especially flavorful and sweet, often used as frying peppers but also excellent for fresh eating.

Peppers prefer light, well drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields. 

Position: Full sun.

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Row spacing: 18-36"

Double rows: 18” apart on 5-6’ centers. 

Planting Instructions:

Amend soil as needed with peat and composted manure mixed thoroughly with an organic granular fertilizer.  (Add fertilizer as directions indicate and reapply at intervals according to directions)  Plant pepper to original pot depth. Water and Mulch. 

As peppers grow and become heavy with fruit, stake plant to prevent stem breakage.

Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage. Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer

Companions:  Parsley, Basil, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Borage, Bee Balm

Happy Gardening!!