Growing Peppers
Peppers, with their vibrant colours and large range of heat levels, can add zest to kitchen cooking and charm to garden landscapes!
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or an enthusiastic beginner, growing peppers offers a really rewarding experience. In this guide, we’ll dive into the diverse world of peppers, explore different types based on the Scoville scale, discuss care requirements, and provide tips for successful cultivation and harvesting.
Understanding Pepper Types
Peppers come in so many varieties with each offering its unique flavor, heat level, and cooking applications. The Scoville scale measures the heat intensity of peppers, ranging from mild to fiery hot. Here’s a guide to the peppers available at Heeman’s, rated by Scoville heat units (SHU):
- Super Hot: The hottest of hot! Reaching over 2,000,000 SHU, super hot peppers like Ghost and Carolina Reaper are not for the faint of heart.
- Hot: These fiery peppers, such as Habanero and Scotch Bonnets, pack a punch ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. Handle them with care, as they are exceptionally hot and are used sparingly in cooking.
- Medium: Ideal for making hot sauces, seasoning and drying for flakes or powder. Includes Cayenne and Tabasco, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 SHU.
- Mild: With Scoville ratings of 1,000 to 8,000, mild peppers like jalapeños add a moderate kick to dishes. They are commonly used in salsas and Mexican cuisines.
- Sweet: These sweet peppers include colourful bell peppers typically range from 0 to 100 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and are perfect for fresh eating, salads, and cooking.
Care Requirements
Peppers need the sun! They will thrive in warm, sunny environments with well-drained soil. Here are some care tips to ensure healthy pepper plants:
- Planting: Start pepper seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors once the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed (in London ON it’s usually safe to plant after May 24th–the date not the long weekend!).
- Soil & Watering: Plant peppers in fertile, loamy soil with good drainage. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Sunlight: Peppers require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Choose a sunny location for the best fruit production.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to promote fruiting.
- Mulching: Mulch around pepper plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Harvesting Tips
Knowing when to harvest peppers is essential for flavour and quality. Here’s how to determine the right time to pick peppers:
- Size & Colour: Peppers should be firm, glossy, and fully colored. The color varies depending on the variety, from green to red, yellow, or orange.
- Texture: Gently squeeze the pepper; it should feel firm and crisp, indicating maturity.
- Harvesting: Use scissors or pruners to cut peppers from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached.
- Timing: Most peppers mature within 60-90 days after transplanting. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous fruit production.
Handling Hot Peppers
Handling hot peppers requires caution to avoid skin irritation or accidental ingestion of the capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat. When handling hot peppers, especially varieties like habaneros or ghost peppers, wear disposable gloves to protect your hands from the oils. Capsaicin can linger on the skin, causing irritation or burns, even after washing. Be mindful not to touch your face, particularly your eyes, nose, or mouth, while handling hot peppers. If you get pepper juice on your face or eyes, immediately flush with cold water and wash hands thoroughly to remove any residue.
Troubleshooting
Pepper plants may encounter various pests and diseases, check out this garden guide on how to Identify Common Garden Problems for more tips! Here are some common issues and their solutions:
- Aphids & Whiteflies: Rinse plants with a strong stream of water or apply insecticidal soap to control infestations.
- Blossom End Rot: Maintain consistent moisture levels and avoid over-fertilizing to prevent this calcium deficiency disorder.
- Fungal Diseases: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and apply fungicides preventively to manage diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot.
With the right care and attention, you can cultivate an abundant harvest of flavorful peppers to enjoy fresh, cooked, or preserved. Experiment with different varieties, embrace the heat levels that suit your palate, and savor the fruits of your labor in every spicy dish. Happy gardening and bon appétit!
