Growing Pepper Seeds in Your Vegetable Garden
- Over a dozen delicious varieties
- Sweet, mild, hot and spicy peppers
- Special variety mixes
- Heirloom, non-GMO seeds
INTRODUCING PEPPER SEEDS
Peppers, with their origins in the Americas, have been cultivated for thousands of years and have a rich history that spread through cultures worldwide. Peppers are pivotal in culinary traditions, pairing flavor with outstanding nutrition benefits. These vegetables are adaptable to different climates, and can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 11. Planting times and cultivation techniques vary based on local climate and the pepper variety.
PLANTING PEPPER SEEDS
For a prosperous harvest, start pepper seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost. This ensures a head start in regions with shorter summers. If starting indoors, sow your seeds at a 1/4 inch depth in seed starting mix, keeping them warm and moist until germination. When seedlings develop a few true leaves, they can be hardened off and transplanted outdoors. Space them 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
MAINTAINING PEPPER PLANTS
Once transplanted, peppers require consistent moisture. However, be careful not to overwater, which can result in root rot. Use slow-release fertilizer at planting. Re-apply again mid-season to encourage continuous growth and fruiting. Support taller varieties with stakes or cages as branches can break under the weight of the pepper fruits. Harvesting at the right time is crucial for flavor; sweet varieties can be picked green or when fully ripe, while hot peppers develop more capsaicin (and spicy flavor) the longer they're left on the plant.
Survival Garden Seeds offers heirloom seeds, so your peppers will breed true. Save your peppers at the end of the growing season by choosing fruits from the healthiest plants for seed harvesting. Experience the joy of growing a wide range of peppers, with a promise of delicious vegetables at the end!
