Growing Red Peppers: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Bountiful Harvest

Red peppers are a versatile and delicious addition to any home garden. Growing red peppers not only adds color and flavor to your garden and meals, but they’re also packed with vitamins and antioxidants. If you’re new to gardening or are looking to add red peppers to your vegetable patch, this guide will walk you through the process of growing them successfully.

Steps for Growing Red Peppers

Step 1: Choose the Right Variety

When selecting red pepper plants, it’s important to choose a variety that is well-suited to your climate. Some red pepper varieties are better suited to warmer climates, while others can tolerate cooler temperatures. Look for varieties that are labeled as “determinate” or “indeterminate” to help you choose the right one. Determinate varieties are bushier and typically produce a single crop, while indeterminate varieties are more vine-like and will continue to produce fruit throughout the growing season.

Step 2: Start Seeds Indoors

Red pepper seeds can be started indoors about 8–10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Fill seed trays or pots with seed compost and sow the seeds on the surface. Cover with a layer of compost or vermiculite and place in a propagator or cover with a plastic bag. Keep the compost moist and at a temperature of around 75°F (24°C) until germination, which usually takes 7–14 days.

Step 3: Transplant Seedlings

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7–10 days before transplanting them into the greenhouse or into the growing site in the garden when all risk of frost has passed. Space the plants 90cm (36in) apart in rows 60cm (24in) apart.

Step 4: Provide Proper Care

Red peppers require full sun and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Water them regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize the plants with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Step 5: Harvest and Enjoy

Red peppers typically take 60–90 days to mature. They are ready to harvest when they are fully red and glossy. Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the pepper from the plant, being careful not to damage the stem. Enjoy your red pepper in salads, sandwiches, and more.