Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Peppers are one of the most popular vegetables to grow indoors. Early spring and late fall are the best times to start growing peppers indoors. With a few simple guidelines and tips, you can enjoy a plentiful supply of peppers year-round!
The Basics
Before you begin, consider the amount of space available for growing peppers. Peppers require plenty of sunlight and need about six hours of direct sunlight to produce fruit. If you are limited in your indoorspace, an LED grow light will suffice.
The soil used to grow peppers should be kept moist. Before planting, make sure the soil retains moisture and drains properly. A potting mix, like Miracle-Gro, works great for this purpose. Peppers also require ample nutrients, so fertilize several times throughout the season.
Transplanting the Peppers
When transplanting peppers into larger pots, choose pots that allow room for the plants to spread out. Prior to planting, you may want to place some pebbles in the bottom of the pot for drainage purposes. Plant the peppers at the same depth as they were in their nursery pots.
Caring for Your Peppers
Peppers are prone to pests and diseases, so it’s important to inspect your peppers regularly. Check for any signs of fungus, fungus gnats, or other pests. Whenever possible, remove any pests manually rather than using chemical pesticides.
It is also important to keep the soil moist and provide adequate ventilation to reduce the risk of diseases. Make sure to provide access to water or liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Harvesting the Peppers
Depending on the variety of pepper, fruits can ripen anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. Fruits should be left on the plant until they are fully ripe. Most fruits should detach easily from the stem with a slight pull. Once fruits are picked, they should be used within a few days and stored in a cool, dark place.
Final Thoughts
Growing peppers indoors can be a rewarding experience and can provide you with a plentiful supply of peppers all year round. With a few simple guidelines and tips, you can enjoy a plentiful supply of peppers year-round!
