Who new it was possible to start growing bell peppers in containers? I definitely didn’t! Whether you grow them indoors or out, use these tips when growing bell peppers in containers.
Growing Bell Peppers In Containers
Peppers are an absolute joy to grow, if you live in a constant warm weather climate that is! If you don’t have the space to grow them in a garden, it gets a little trickier, but don’t fret, a pot is all red peppers need to grow! It’s container gardening at it’s finest! After you’ve got your hands on some pepper seeds or a plant from the local nursery, the next step is, yep you guessed it, you need to find a pot! Time to start growing bell peppers!
When browsing for suitable pots, make sure its at least 10 inches deep and 10 inches in width. Drainage holes at the bottom are definitely recommended, a pot of this size can easily grow and maintain 2-3 plants. Avoid place pots if you’re already in a hot climate for your plants will attract a little too much sun.
If you picked up a plant from a nursery you can skip to the next section, however if you simply purchased some seeds you’ll want some seed food or potting mix as well. Fill small seed-starter pots with 2 seeds and a bit of the plant food. Make sure the seeds are 3 centimeters deep in the soil. Start these seeds 6-10 weeks before the last frost. The seeds will germinate in 1 to 3 weeks depending on the weather conditions and seed quality. When seedlings have 2 true leaves they are ready to be transplanted into a larger pot.
Now that your pepper plants are ready for the major league pots, there are a few things to consider: Position is everything! Peppers love the sun, keep them in an open area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day. Good soil is the number one key to happy and healthy pepper plants! Buy best quality potting mix that is well drained, loose and fertile. You can also add 5-10 grams of neem cake at the time of soil preparation, as this will protect your young plant from getting sick. Watering is also incredibly important! Your soil should never dry out completely, they need daily watering but don’t let them soak in water, as this could cause root rot.
Now that you’ve got you pepper plant up and running, you’ve got to manage it! Mulch your plant, cover the base of the soil in the pot in mulch, it’ll help with the evaporation of water. Every 14 days or two weeks you’ll want to fertilize the plant as well. If your plant is flowering too early its always good to deadhead your plant by pinching leaves.
Finally, its harvest time, its been 60-90 days and they look delicious, head out to your balcony or your sunny window, and harvest a few in time for that perfect summer evening meal. Congrats on your new plant and your home-grown bell peppers!
Thanks for reading.
For more info about vegetables that grow in pots or growing tomatoes in containers.
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