How to Sprout Pepper Seeds

Whether sweet or hot, peppers are a welcome addition to any garden. Peppers grow well in a variety of well-drained soils, doing best in heavier soils. Because they have a relatively long growing season and are a warm weather vegetable, starting peppers from seeds indoors in late winter is a good idea; in some cooler regions it's essential. Grown in the safety of your home, pepper plants will mature to a size that will transplant well to your garden.

Things You'll Need

• Seed flat
• Potting soil
• Pepper seeds
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Test the viability of your seeds by placing a small number of seeds on a damp paper towel. Place the towel in a warm area with good light exposure. Check the seeds after a week to see if the seeds are germinating. If most have sprouted, your seeds are viable.

2. Fill the cells of a seed flat with potting soil. Level the soil. Place the flat in a pan of water overnight to soak the soil thoroughly.

3. Plant the peppers seeds by gently pressing them into the soil to the depth 1/4-inch. Cover the flat with plastic wrap to keep the soil moist and promote germination.

4. Place the flat in a warm location with a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees F. Do not place the flat in direct sun.

5. Watch for growth. Remove the plastic wrap, after the seeds sprout. As the seedlings grow, continue to keep the soil moist, but not wet.

6. Examine the seedlings for damping off disease and remove any infected plants. Treat the remaining pepper plants with fungicide.

7. Place the seedlings in bright light, preferably in a south facing window. Feed the pepper plants with a water-soluble plant food at half strength until ready to transplant.

References

• University of Illinois Extension, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
• Colorado State University Extension, Planting/Yield Chart
• Agrilife Extension, Easy Gardening... Peppers