How to Plant Jalepeno Peppers
Jalapeno peppers are so versatile, they can be added to almost any main dish for a little spice. One jalapeno plant will yield enough peppers to keep a small family in good supply. Planting jalapeno peppers is easy and the plants stay small enough that they work well in containers and gardens. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Jalapeno pepper starter plant
- Garden gloves
- Garden hand spade
- Garden cultivator
- Plant food or fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Gather the tools needed for planting the jalapeno starter plants in the garden.
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2
Prepare the garden soil for planting using the cultivator to break up the dirt and mix in additives. Add any compost or manure at this time and let the garden rest for a day.
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3
Buy a jalapeno pepper starter plant at a garden center or farmer's market. Pick a healthy plant, stay away from wilted or dried out pepper plants.
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4
Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the pot the starter jalapeno pepper plant is in. Place the pot in the hole to check for depth and width, the edge of the pot should be about a half inch below ground level.
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5
Add any plant food or fertilizer to the hole at this time. Read the instructions carefully, overfeeding or fertilizing can kill a young plant.
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6
Back fill the hole just enough to bring the plant up to ground level. Mix the back filled dirt with the plant food in the bottom of the hole.
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Place the plant directly in the hole if it is in a peat pot, the pot will disintegrate in the garden soil. Even so, cut a slit in the bottom of the peat pot to make room for new root growth. If the jalapeno plant is in a plastic pot, carefully remove it and spread the roots slightly before placing in the hole.
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8
Back fill all the around the pepper plant, applying slight pressure to help secure the new plant in the garden soil.
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9
Water the new jalepeno pepper plant heavily the first day, then monitor the soil moisture daily.
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Tips & Warnings
One jalapeno pepper plant will yield enough peppers to keep an average family in salsa for the entire summer.
There are a number of peppers available to the home gardener in varying degrees of heat, so check the labels and use care in handling.
Always use care when applying plant food and fertilizers.
