peppers

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:42 am

Why I grow so many, I have no idea. But, I just love them. Now that I have found out the secret to having peppers in June, I literally by the end of season, have breaking down pepper plants, loaded with fruit. No matter how high I stake them, they are just beautiful!!

I have also given literally garbage bags full of peppers away. Ask WLLady, lol. So.... this is the second flat I am pricking out today. The purple Jalapeno's... are a little feek... so that 6 cell pack is in a window upstairs. Usually by now, I have boxes of these IN the greenhouse, with a milkhouse heater on at night. With today's highydro bills.... its just not feasible to have them outside just yet. Can you imagine an overnight power outage out there??

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:53 am

friken awesome! its been to cold for us to start anything. we have the sweet potatoe slips separated and planted in cups but cant put them in the sunroom yet. I sure hope it gets warm out FAST!!!

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 2:05 pm

Wow!! Those are big already :)

Flat Rock Farm · Post by **Flat Rock Farm** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:02 am

They look great BVF, you have a green thumb FOR SURE!!

You have the nice sandy loam soil at your place, I struggle to grow peppers with our clay. Does not seem to matter how much mulch, compost and chicken

I seem to add I just can't seem to get a good harvest of them.

Skinny rooster · Post by **Skinny rooster** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:26 am

What is the "secret", what is the secret!!!!!!! Lol!!!! I love love love peppers but can't seem to grow them. Last year I had so many I was giving them away but I have no clue why, I didn't do anything different lol. Usually I don't get any until late fall and the frost comes.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 10:46 am

I want to know the secret too!!!!! We have never had luck with any but Cayenne peppers, and boy do I love peppers!

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Wed May 18, 2016 11:42 pm

I want to know the secret too! The one and only time I had peppers in June, was when I planted them in December! I really wish I had done that this year, didn't get them started until near end of March, so I'll be lucky if I get any turn colour before frost this year. My seed is almost all 10 and 11 years old, and didn't expect good germination...so, I overcompensated and planted hundreds. And wouldn't you know it, they sprouted just fine, so even if they're still green at the end of August, at least I'll have lots of them.

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:01 am

Good lord... I'm just getting back to this.

The secret with peppers is start them about March 1st. I have started them as early as Feb. 15th. Of course, you have to make sure they don't get too lanky, you need lights, or a very sunny window (and warmth).

Peppers are actually tender perennials. Thats why, when you buy fingerling plants in the spring, you won't get peppers until September. Then they are done.

My way, you get peppers in June. Mine have peppers on them right now. And, I don't pull off the flowers OR the peppers if they have them, when I plant them. Make sure they are WARM, and watered well, always. Don't ever let the soil become parched. But, don't keep is soggy either.

When I plant mine, IF I put them in early (night time temps should be over 50F, and stay there), they are on black plastic, with tires around them. I have had them in May 1st... but nowadays, getting tired of foul weather/frost.... and having to go out and cover them IN the tires, with pails big enough to not break them. I also have straw bales surrounding the whole entire pepper bed. It came in handy yesterday, when we had gale force winds, and driving rain. I will use these bales next year, to mulch both sides of my green/yellow beans, and cucumbers, as well as anything else needing mulch. In a few days, these bales will 'grow', the wheat will sprout, but nothing will become of it. If I lay straw down now as mulch, I would constantly be pulling grass out of my garden, around my plants. Also... you can use some of these bales for bale gardening the next year, when they are 'rotted' down, no longer "growing", and softer.

Anyhow, nowadays, mine are on black plastic, and when I dig the hole, I add well composted manure, mixed with a bit of calcitic (sp) lime, and a handful of epsom salts mixed in. The peppers will be tall... so dig a deep hole, mix some of that mixture with topsoil, and put in the plant. Backfill abit, and water till the water stays somewhat. Backfill all the way, level with the ground.

They love humidity, and the plastic (when it rains) holds a few puddles... and in the heat, they just thrive. I have to stake mine, and even then, they grow so huge with big peppers, they break in half. Frustrating.

And, of course, full full sun. The hotter the summer, the more peppers love it. The black plastic holds the heat well, and keeps the soil warm, if not hot. (the roots are deep... so they don't fry).

goatgal35 · Post by **goatgal35** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:09 am

Thank You.

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 9:48 pm

Well, peppers are ready to pick. Got lots of big sweet ones, and more hot peppers!! I've been watering my head off out there. I sure wish it would rain. They are showing a big rainfall coming.... but somehow it never ever seems to materialize.