How to Plant Jalapeno Pepper Seeds
Jalapeno peppers are readily available inexpensively in the produce departments of grocery stores all over the United States. They're quite economical if you cook with them infrequently as a little bit goes a long way. If pesticides are a concern or if you want produce that has been grown locally, you can grow your own jalapenos from seeds. You can start your seeds indoors and transfer them outside after the threat of frost has passed or start them directly in the ground as soon as it warms to a consistent 60 degrees F, according to Jalapeno Madness. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Jalapeno seeds
- Two paper towels
- Plastic zipper bag
- Potting soil
- Seed trays or plant pots
Instructions
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Consult the USDA frost zone map to determine when the last threat of ground freezing is in your geographic area. In the United States the last frost dates range from January to June. If you are planting directly outdoors you must wait a few weeks after the last frost for the ground to warm. If you start your seeds indoors, you can plant them three to four weeks before the ground warms.
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Test the viability of your seeds three to four weeks before you anticipate planting outdoors. This is important if you harvested the seeds from jalapenos the previous year or if you're using old seed packets. If you bought commercially packaged seeds the same year you will plant them, you can skip this. Moisten two paper towels and place ten jalapeno seeds between them. Place the seeds in the plastic bag and seal it. Place the bag in a sunny, draft-free place and watch for signs of germination. According to LocalHarvest, Inc., the seeds should germinate in 12 to 21 days. Count the number of sprouts present after that time. If half or less of the seeds opened, you will have to double up seeds in each hole. If most of the seeds are viable, transfer the sprouts to potting soil or outdoors when you're ready to cultivate the rest of the seeds. If none (or almost none) sprouted, throw away the batch.
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Start jalapenos indoors by filling small pots or seed trays with potting soil and moistening it. Plant the seeds about a quarter of an inch deep. Set the pots or trays in a sunny room free of cold drafts and water as the soil dries out. If no natural light is available you can substitute plant lights. Transfer the seedlings to larger pots if the tray becomes crowded and the soil outside isn't warm enough to plant in. Be sure to "harden off" the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside air and sunlight for a week before putting them in the ground. This prevents shock to the plants.
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For direct sowing outside, plant jalapeno seeds in a sunny spot in well-drained soil spaced 14 to 16 inches apart.
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Tips & Warnings
Like tomato plants, jalapeno plants become tall and heavy. Tie the stalks loosely to a stake if they start to lean or use a plant cage to give it a frame.
