Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Assistant Professor of Urban Agriculture
There are many varieties of peppers, including col-
ors, shapes, and flavors, including hot or sweet. Think
about what your family will use them for before choos-
ing the one that is right for your garden.
Planting
Peppers are best planted from transplants. To start transplants, plant seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch 6 to 8 weeks before desired planting date.
If purchasing transplants, look for plants 6 to 10 inches tall.
Pepper transplants should be planted between May 20 and June 15, May 10 and July 1, and May 1 and July 15 in eastern, central, and western Kentucky.
Transplants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart.
Care and Harvest
Wide plant spacing leaves rooms for weeds to establish, so make sure the bed is weed free when you plant and weed regularly.
Water about 1 inch per week (including rain). Take special care to provide water after flowering starts.
A starter fertilizer can be used when transplanting, and supplemental fertilizer can be given after fruit has set.
Peppers are ready for harvest 65-75 days after the seeds were planted.
Harvest when the peppers are firm.
Harvesting some peppers while they are green will enable the plant to continue flowering and producing.
They can be harvested green, or after turning red, orange, or yellow. These peppers will be sweeter, but may become over ripe quickly if not picked.
Cut peppers from the plant to avoid injury and leave a short piece of stem on the pepper.