Growing your own vegetables can be a very rewarding experience. Whether you are growing for yourself, or to sell them, it is important that you know how far apart to plant peppers to get the best results.
When planting peppers, you should always space them about 14 to 18 inches apart. The roots can grow to quite a size and hijack the nutrients of their neighbor. Plant peppers closer together if temperatures are below 60 °F.
In this article, you will not only find the answer to the question of how far apart peppers should be planted, but also all the basics for growing peppers. Including how much water they require, and what to do with them after harvesting.
How far apart to plant peppers?
These types of peppers will often grow best in a greenhouse or another heated area. Each pepper plant will need a large container to grow in, filled to the brim with good potting compost.
You’ll need to keep an eye on your young plants, as they are very sensitive to temperature changes. If you grow pepper outside, then lookout for frost, as this can kill your plant within 24 hours.
When it comes to spacing, you’ll need to make sure that your pepper plants 14 – 18 inches apart.
The roots can grow very long and encroach upon the nutrients of a neighboring pepper plant. As these plants are growing, then we would recommend that you keep them covered with a fleece or cloche.
Spacing bell pepper plants
Bell peppers need plenty of room to grow, so they should be spaced at least 18 inches apart. If you’re planting more than one bell pepper plant, you’ll also need to stagger them so that each plant has enough room to mature. In addition, bell peppers do well when companion planted with tomatoes or basil. So if you’re looking to add some bell peppers to your garden, make sure to give them the space they need!
Spacing habanero pepper plants
Hot peppers, like habaneros, are a great addition to any garden. When growing habaneros, it is important to space the plants properly. They should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart. If you are growing multiple varieties of habanero pepper, be sure to plant them in separate rows to avoid cross-pollination.
Spacing jalapeño pepper plants
Jalapeño pepper plants need to be given enough room to grow, because they are really productive plants. When planting jalapeño pepper seeds, be sure to plant them 12-18 inches apart in rows of 24-40 inches. This will give each pepper plant plenty of room to develop a strong root system and produce a lot of jalapeño peppers.
Spacing cayenne pepper plants
If you’re planting cayenne peppers in a container, you’ll need to leave about 18 inches of space between plants. If you’re planting them in the ground, you’ll need to leave about 2 feet of space between plants. When it comes to companion planting, cayenne peppers do well with tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. So, if you’re looking to maximize your garden space, consider planting these vegetables alongside your cayenne peppers.
Spacing serrano pepper plants
Growing serrano pepper plants can be a great way to add some spice to your garden. When spacing serrano pepper plants, it is important to take into account the plant’s mature size. Serrano peppers can reach up to two feet in height, so they should be spaced at least 12-24 inches apart.
Spacing tabasco pepper plants
For those who enjoy a bit of spice in their life, there is nothing quite like tabasco peppers. If you are using seeds, make sure to plant the pepper seed at least 12-24 inches apart. This will give them plenty of room to grow without crowding each other out. If you are using seedlings, you can space them a bit closer together, but make sure they still have enough room to grow and spread their roots.
Spacing sweet pepper plants
Sweet peppers are a versatile and popular addition to many gardens. One of the biggest challenges is getting the spacing right. If they are too close together, the plants will compete for resources and may produce smaller peppers. If they are too far apart, the soil will dry out and the peppers will be less likely to thrive. The best way to ensure proper spacing is to plant them at least 18 inches apart.
You can also plant companion crops between your pepper plants to help retain moisture and protect young plants from wind damage.
Spacing ornamental pepper plants
Ornamental peppers are a beautiful. These plants can range in size from Dwarf types that only grow to be a few inches tall, to larger varieties. When spacing ornamental pepper plants, it is important to consider the size and plant them at least 8 inches apart.
Spacing ghost pepper plants
Ghost peppers are hot peppers that are one of the hottest peppers in the world, measuring in at over 1 million Scoville heat units. Ghost pepper plants need to be spaced 24-36 inches apart. When planting ghost pepper seeds, sow them ¼ inch deep in well-draining soil.
How to sow peppers?
When you are sowing your pepper seeds first, make sure they can be put into small pots.
Make sure that your seed compost is moist and that it is sprayed with a thin layer of vermiculite, as this will give it the best chance of growing full.
We would suggest that you sow more seeds than you need, as you will probably lose a few on the way. You should place them under a heated tray on a windowsill where you know they’ll get plenty of indirect natural sunlight.
Once you have grown your green leaves, you’ll need to transplant them to a new pot that will be around 3 inches deep.
You’ll need to make sure that the temperature for your seedlings remains warm, otherwise, you’ll notice that the leaves will be a paler green than they should normally be.
You can also buy semi-cultivated plants from your local supermarket or plant wholesaler. These plants will grow very vigorously, so having them already starting to sprout leaves makes your growing job that much easier.
How to harvest peppers?
Your peppers should be ready to harvest around mid-August. If you are growing them outdoors, they will often fruit later than this.
You should make sure that you pick these fruits when they are very glossy. You can even try cutting one from the stem and eating it, just to see if it tastes sweet.
Most peppers are the standard colors of red, green, and yellow, although you can get other peppers that come in purple or even orange colors.
You might want to harvest them slightly early if you want to keep them in storage for longer.
What do you do with peppers after harvest?
Well, I have a few ideas for you.
You can process peppers into a salad, soup, or sauce, and freeze them for later use. You can also eat peppers raw, cooked in a dish, or as part of another recipe.
Another good use would be to give them away to friends and family members who enjoy cooking with peppers.
Store them for later use by drying or pickling the peppers. Pickled sweet pepper or bell pepper rings are tasty on sandwiches! Dried peppers store well if you are able to pack them into airtight containers.
If you grew ornamental peppers, you can be use them in cooking to add a bit of spice. But be careful with the amount because they are technically classified as hot peppers.
If you don’t want to eat them, you can also dry the peppers to create unique decorations for your home. You can also save the seeds from the peppers and plant them next year.
How to keep your pepper plants healthy?
Peppers are generally easy to grow, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that your pepper plants stay healthy and produce plenty of peppers.
One of the most important things to do is to choose the right kind of soil. Peppers need soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. If your soil is too sandy or too clayey, you can add compost or other organic matter to improve its texture.
Peppers also need full sun and consistent moisture, so be sure to water them regularly during the growing season. With a little care, your pepper plants will thrive and provide you with an abundance of peppers all season long.
Most common issues you can have with peppers
Symptom: You can often experience a kind of webbing that might appear over your greenhouse-raised peppers. This is the work of the glasshouse red spider, which can target peppers specifically. The glasshouse red spider mite is a serious pest of many crops, including peppers.
Solution: These tiny mites live in the soil and feed on the plants. There are several ways to get rid of these pests, including using soil treatments and cleaning your pepper plants greenhouse.
Symptom: You can also get colonies of greenflies that will smother your peppers.
Solution: You can get rid of greenflies naturally by rubbing alcohol on the leaves.
You can find out more about common issues with pepper plants here.
Conclusion
Spacing is an important consideration when planting a pepper garden. Peppers need room to grow, and if they are too close together, they will compete for resources and sunlight.
As a general rule of thumb, each pepper plant should have 14-18 inches of space in all directions. In addition, it is important to make sure that the plants are spaced evenly. With proper spacing, your pepper plants will be healthy and productive, yielding an abundance of delicious peppers.
If you are looking to plant a pepper garden this year, be sure to space your plants accordingly. By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to grow peppers that are both healthy and delicious.
