Sweet Pepper Seeds

Fill the cells with damp seed starting soil, or pre-moisten the peat pellets. Then place them into the trays. Plant one per cell/pellet. Plant pepper seeds about a 1/4″ – 1/2″ (0,6 – 1,2 cm) deep. Cover the seeds with soil – Fill the holes with soil, then gently press it down to make sure the seeds come in contact with the soil. Don’t compact the soil though, just gently press it down. If the soil is not already wet, then you should add water. It’s best to water from the bottom so you don’t disturb the seeds. Simply pour it into the tray until it’s just above the drainage holes, or about 1/4 of the height of the pellets. Dump out any excess water that hasn’t been absorbed within 15 minutes. Place the clear plastic lid on top of the tray to help keep the soil warm, and ensure that it stays moist. Place the tray in a warm spot – place it in the warmest spot you can. If it’s too cold, it will slow down germination, or the seeds may not grow at all. Transplanting. Pepper plant seedlings hate the cold, and they could be killed if you move them into your garden too early. So, it’s best to wait to transplant them until after all chance of frost is gone, and the soil has warmed up. To harden them, start by placing them outside in the shade for a few hours a day. Then each day, give them a little more sun and time outside. After a few weeks, they will be ready to stay outside for good. They will grow their best when planted in a full sun location. Be sure to plant them in fast draining, rich soil that has plenty of organic matter mixed in. So, plan to space your seedlings 12-18″ (24 – 30 cm) apart in the garden. For best results, plant pepper seedlings slightly deeper than they were in the seed tray or pot.

Best thing about pepper seeds is the amazing variety of them. They range anywhere from the mild flavor of bell peppers, to the sweetness of banana peppers, and the medium heat of chilies… No matter the variety all seeds are flat and round, and can be anywhere from white, cream or yellow in color. Peppers take a long time to grow large enough from seeds to produce mature fruit, and they require a fairly long growing season. They can also be a bit slow to germinate (some varieties take up to a month!). Recommended starting pepper seeds indoors, rather than planting them directly into the garden. The best way to get a good crop is by planting the seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before your average last frost date. Another thing that makes growing peppers from seed easy is that you don’t need to do anything special to prepare them for planting. Choosing the right soil is  important for sweet pepper germination. Pepper seeds do not perform well in sandy soils because the soil will not hold enough moisture to support the growing plant. Choose a soil mixture with a significant amount of organic material in it as this will not only aid in moisture retention but will also provide nutrients for the pepper plant as it grows larger. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch (0,6 cm) deep, spacing multiple seeds one inch (2,5 cm) apart. Water the seeds. Once the seeds germinate and develop into seedlings, thin the seedlings that only the largest remain. Begin to harden off plants about 10 days before transplanting outdoors start by placing them outside in the shade for a few hours a day. Then each day, give them a little more sun and time outside. After a few weeks, they will be ready to stay outside for good. Once nighttime temperatures reach at least 60°F (16 °C), transplant seedlings outdoors, spacing them 18 to 24 inches (45 – 60 cm) apart. Plant the transplants no deeper than they were already; Water one to two inches per week, but remember that peppers are extremely heat sensitive. If you live in a warm or desert climate, watering everyday may be necessary. Weed carefully around plants to avoid disturbing roots. If necessary, support plants with cages or stakes to prevent bending. Harvest as soon as peppers reach desired size or color. The longer bell peppers stay on the plant, the sweeter they become and the greater their vitamin C content. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut peppers clean off the plant for the least damage. Peppers can be refrigerated in plastic bags for up to 10 days after harvesting. Bell peppers can be dried, and we would recommend a conventional oven for the task. Dry in the oven at 140°F (60 ° C) (or the lowest possible temperature) until brittle, stirring occasionally and switching tray positions. When the peppers are cool, put them in bags or storage containers.

Varieties that ripen to their full color quickly; fully mature peppers are the most nutritious

Vegetable Seeds

Herb Seeds