Growing Hot Peppers From Seed
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Introduction
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There are many different types of hot peppers with varying degrees of "heat" from cayenne peppers to jalapeno peppers. Depending on the type of hot pepper you are growing, it may have originated in the Continental United States, the Caribbean Territories, Brazil or Hawaii. Most hot pepper seeds can be cultivated in the United States. If you live in an area where the hot pepper is not hardy, you can grow the species you choose inside the home in pots.
Preparing the Bed
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Prepare the garden bed two weeks before planting the seeds. Till the garden bed and let it set for two days. Spread compost on the garden bed, then till it into the soil. Allow the amended soil to set for 10 to 12 days.
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Planting the Seeds
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Dig a ¼-inch deep furrow in the soil. Make the furrow length as long as the row. Scatter seeds 12 to 16 inches apart in the furrow. Cover the seeds with amended soil and pat the covering down. Water the hot pepper seeds with a mister until seedlings emerge. Once seeding emerge and become established, thin the plants to 16 inches apart if needed.
Fill a 3-gallon or larger container with potting soil. Plant three to four hot pepper seed ¼-inch deep. Cover the seeds and loosely tamp the soil down over the seeds. Using a mister, water well. When the seedlings emerge, allow them to become established, then remove all except one seedling.
Watering
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Keep the soil moist, but be sure it is well drained until the plants come to fruition. Water the soil at least once a week, making sure to water deeply. Frequent shallow watering promotes a weak root system and plant and the plant will not produce the maximum amount of peppers.
Harvesting and Cleanup
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Harvest the hot peppers as they ripen. Remove them from the plants and use for cooking or store them. Hot peppers can be frozen or dried. Once the plant stops producing, remove the entire plant, including the root ball. Till the garden to make it ready for next year's crop. If you grew the hot peppers in a container, discard the soil (put it in the compost pile) and clean the container well so that it can be used next year.
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