10 Things That Make Growing Peppers So Much Easier
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Growing beautiful and productive pepper plants is so much fun. It’s pretty easy, too. However, we wouldn’t be as successful in the garden without certain tools and items. In this article, I’ll share 10 things that we rely on to grow healthy peppers each season.
1. The Perfect Small Pots
Since we start our pepper plants from seed, it is nice to have small (3-4″ diameter) pots that can do it all. These 3.3″ containers can be used to direct sow pepper seeds, or for up-potting smaller seedlings. Once the plants outgrow them, they’re large enough to go into their final spot in the garden. Plus, these pots are high quality, made to be reused for many growing seasons.
- Buy the pots only
- Get our custom pepper starter kit (includes 18 limited edition colored pots, 1020 tray, pepper seeds, and humidity dome)
2. The Best Potting Soil
If you grow in containers, then it’s all about the potting soil you use. We have tested at least a dozen different bagged potting mixes, and without fail, this one wins. It has pre-added natural nutrient sources, calcium, and a host of mycorrhizal fungi. There’s something magical about this soil that keeps us coming back every year to grow amazing container plants.
3. Mini Pump Water Sprayer
After planting pepper seeds, it’s important to keep them moist. If the seeds dry out during germination, they may fail to sprout. For years we used a simple hand sprayer, which works well and is very cheap. But if you start dozens (or hundreds) or plants from seed, this pump sprayer is a game changer. Just 2-3 pumps and you can continually spray for 20-30 seconds, saving your forearms from certain doom.
4. Quality Seeds
Over our 10+ years of gardening experience, we’ve learned the importance of quality seed. We’ve grown hundreds of different pepper cultivars, and believe me: some are better than others! So I highly recommend shopping from our favorite seed sellers, and reading reviews from fellow pepper growers before choosing which to buy.
Tip: The newer the seed, the better its germination rate, so fresh seed is always best.
5. Basic Grow Light
Not everyone needs a grow light to start seeds successfully. A very sunny window or an outdoor greenhouse will both work well. But if you start many plants from seed, then a competent grow light makes a big difference. This starter light is a great beginner option that won’t break the bank. However, you will need somewhere to hang the light above your plants, like a basic germination shelf.
- Basic starter light (3×3′ coverage)
- 2×4′ extended coverage LED light
6. Large Grow Bags
Grow bags are easy to set up and have natural benefits. For example, there is no worry that your plants will become rootbound since the walls of these pots will air prune the roots. Make sure you choose at least 5 gallons, but ideally 10 gallons or larger for better water retention and stability.
7. Straightforward Fertilizer
Choosing a fertilizer can be confusing. NPK ratings, slow release, emulsions, granular, liquid – it is a lot to take in, especially for beginners. We’ve tested many different brands and types, and find a couple of basic options that work well.
- Simple organic option (best for containers)
- Fox Farm trio (liquid nutrients)
- Garden tone (for in-ground planting)
8. Insect Netting
The longer you have a garden, the more pest issues you’re likely to encounter. Our primary issues have been rabbits, Asiatic beetles, and caterpillars. The best defense against all of these pests is some type of physical barrier. For this, we have been using insect netting to cover our raised beds, especially in the spring season when it is at its worst.
- Basic insect netting
- Higher quality netting (less likely to tear)
9. Reusable Stakes
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to support your peppers from an early age. As they grow, they can become top heavy (especially after they form fruits), which can lead to broken branches or main stems. The most basic form of support is a central stake. Insert the stake at the time of transplanting and periodically attach your plant to the stake to keep it upright.
10. Quality Pruners
Peppers don’t require topping, but we do recommend certain types of pruning throughout the season. Removing lower leaves to keep them out of the soil, cleaning up dead, dying or diseased foliage, and of course harvesting fresh peppers. These pruners have a high quality feel (I highly recommend going with the curved blade for the cleanest cut).
We use other items in the garden too, but this list covers many of the most important items we use on an annual basis to grow our peppers. I hope you found something to help your garden thrive this season 🌶️
Calvin
One of the original Pepper Geeks! When Calvin isn’t gardening or learning more about peppers and botany, he might be traveling new places or playing some music.
