Plant of the Month: Pepper
Although types of peppers belong in one of six groups, most are classified by their degree of mild or hot flavor. Mild peppers include Bell, Banana, Pimiento and Sweet Cherry while the hot peppers include the Cayenne, Large Cherry and Tabasco.
Bell peppers are the most common pepper grown in the home garden. We usually harvest bell peppers when they have sized up but are still immature (green). If you are growing colored peppers (red, yellow, orange, chocolate, etc.) you need to let them mature to show their true color. Our bell peppers will turn red, sweeten and increase in vitamins A and C content when we allow them to mature.
Peppers have a long growing season, so we need to start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before we plan to set them out in the garden. Here in Piscataquis County we need to wait until mid June to set them out in the garden if we don’t provide them with protection from cool spring temperatures. Protection can include row covers, hot caps or garden cloches.
Peppers need a sunny location and soil that is well drained with a moderate level of organic matter. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season. Don’t be tempted to over fertilize. If you do you will end up with beautiful plant and few peppers since the fertilizer will encourage leafy growth. Pepper transplants should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart within the row. You can grow a double row in a wide bed if the rows are offset from each other.
Source: Maine Master Gardener Handbook, 1999.