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Step 1
Choose the varieties of hot peppers you wish to grow and purchase seeds. Choose the peppers based on their heat, so you get the results you are looking for. Purchase seeds from reputable suppliers, who specialize in high quality, low cost seeds that are known for their quality. Choose varieties that will grow in your zone.
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Step 2
Prepare the soil. Peppers do well in soil that drains well, but remains moist enough; add organic matter such as manure, compost products and even old coffee grounds to the soil for mulching. Too much nitrogen in the soil is not a good thing, since this will cause a reduction in the amount of fruit produced by the hot peppers.
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Step 3
Sow seeds in light soil indoors to beginning growing the plants in colder zones, or directly into the ground once all threat of frost has past. Sprouts will form within 16 to 20 days. Thin out plants, or transplant them from indoors, so that there is about two to three inches between each one.
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Step 4
Keep in full sun and supply plants with a regular amount of water. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking as sitting water will harm the plant roots. Fruit will begin to sprout first with flowers, then by fruit. Fruit will take a week or more to ripen on the vine.
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Step 5
Pick the fruit from the hot pepper plants when they are still hard when you squeeze them, but have a little give. Hot peppers will turn from green to orange and red as they ripen. They thrive in hot weather and grow faster during this time. Plan to check and pick from your garden daily or every other day.
Comments
talindsey said
on 7/1/2009 my hot peppers are not hot, why?????