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Peppers prefer rich, moist soil and full sunlight, although many varieties will tolerate some shade and actually welcome an afternoon break from the hot summer sun. They grow well in containers, raised beds, or in-ground gardens. Plant 18-24 inches apart, giving them enough room to flourish. You will need to stake the plants as they grow. I always add my stakes at the time of planting so as not to disrupt or damage roots as they begin to grow. Water immediately after planting, then regularly throughout their growing season. And of course, water more frequently as days are hotter. Enjoy growing this amazing vegetable plant; peppers might just become your favorite plant to grow, too! Here is a list of some of the most popular types of peppers to grow:
Pepper Talk by Leslie Worthy | photo by Courtney Rawlinson
Peppers… one of my favorite plants to grow in the garden! Not only are peppers quite easy to grow from seed, but they are beautiful plants—and they’re not bothered by pests as are so many other vegetables. Waiting on the pepper plants’ fruits to form, grow, and then change color is so exciting! (Yes, admittedly, I peer at my bell peppers, waiting for colors to begin changing from green to red or orange, no less than ten times daily. Hey, you never know!) Peppers are available in thousands of varieties (literally), all with varying levels of heat. Growing peppers at home will offer so many various options, as growing from seed offers pepper varieties you likely have never seen in your local grocery store. Peppers can be hot, sweet, colorful, large,
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LAKElife Magazine August 2020
or small. Planting various pepper types in your garden will also produce a wonderful display of beauty to your yard.
Planting
Pepper-growing is fun and simple if you know the basics about what peppers prefer for optimal growing. Peppers are not coldtolerable. That said, you may start them indoors under grow lights 8 weeks before the last frost, or they may be direct-sown into soil after the last frost. In Kosciusko County, our last frost date is May 1. Or, buy pepper plants from a nursery and plant in your garden.
Hot Peppers:
»»Carolina Reaper – Classified as one of
the world’s hottest peppers! The shape of this pepper even has a stinger on the tail… ouch!
»»Habanero – Good for cooking, but also as a flavor additive to tequila drinks.
»»Cayenne – Used in many Mexican and Cajun dishes. Robust, spicy flavor.
»»Tabasco – Very juicy, used for sauce. »»Jalapeno – America’s favorite! Great in salsa, pickled, or fried.
»»Thai Red Chili – Fruity flavor, perfect for chili sauce. Can also be dried and ground into a powder.
Sweet Peppers:
»»Banana – A family member of the chili pepper, yet much milder and sweeter. Good pickled or stuffed.
»»Cherry – Also called pimento pepper,
this variety has a lovely, sweet aromatic flavor; great in salads.
»»Bell Pepper – Varieties include green, red, orange, and yellow. Perfect for cooking or eating raw.
»»Italian Frying – Mild in flavor, wonderful on sandwiches.
