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Simple Secrets From Farmer John
Peppers are tropical in origin and MUST have heat to germinate and grow properly. I personally like a constant soil temperature above 65F or warmer when starting my pepper seeds. Ideal is 75-85 degrees.
Soil & Planting Pepper Seeds
I generally use sterile soil that has either been purchased from a nursery supply or you can learn to solar sterilize your own potting mix straight from your sifted, aged compost. However, that is a article for another time. What is important for you to understand when planting any seed, is there is a host of organism that will try to attack your seed or seedling. Us humans have discovered if we use sterile soil (heat treated) most of these organism are not present or dead. This year we will offer for sale the same mix I use here on the farm to plant thousands of seedlings, but if you don't get it here get it at a local nursery. Your success rate with germination will be astonishingly higher.
Remember this mix contains little if any nutrients. Most of what the pepper initially needs is in the seed itself. Many people burn small seedlings buy adding fertilizer straight to this soil. Do not! Later when the seedling have 3-4 leaves on them you can fertilize with a seaweed solution. OK, now lets get those little pepper seeds planted! The next big mistake many people make with pepper seeds is planting to deep. You need to plant your tiny pepper seeds only a 1/4 inch deep. That is it, no deeper! Next, LIGHTLY tamp the soil over the seed to make sure you have good seed to soil contact. I normally water this potting mix BEFORE I plant as it makes putting tiny holes in easier and I don't wash away my little seeds.
Germination and Small Pepper Plants
Now you have tucked your tiny pepper seeds in the mix. They are moist, you are keeping the soil a balmy 75F and nothing is happening. BE PATIENT. Some pepper seeds can take as long as 6 weeks to germinate. As soon as your little pepper plants do start breaking through the soil move them to a sunny location (morning sun or filtered afternoon sun) if they are not already there. Now, you just need to keep them warm and moist. Moist I say, not water logged or the seedlings will die. Once your seedlings have reached the 3 leaf stage I normally remove any protective clear cover you may have on them to allow for excellent air circulation. It is at this stage you can fertilize by making a seaweed tea.
Yelp you heard right! Seaweed tea my friends is just what these little pepper plants need. Seaweed/Kelp contains a substance called gibberellic acid. This literally is a natural growth hormone that will send those seedlings reaching for the sun! We carry seaweed/kelp so don't forget to order it and follow the directions to make your tea.
That is all there is to successfully starting peppers or tomato seeds for that matter. Remember not to transplant your pepper plants to the garden till night time temperatures are constantly staying over 65 degrees. The warmer the better. A mistake many people make is transplanting too soon and the poor pepper plants just never really do much after being stunted by the cool nights. Be patient, follow this advice and send me some photos of your pepper bounty! Farmer John
***It is important to note that the days to fruit number located next to every pepper name is NOT the number of days from when you plant the seed, but the number of days from transplant to the garden from pots.
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We strive to sell the highest quality open pollinated and heirloom seeds. Our chief concern is empowering you, the customer, to be able to grow your own vegetables year after year by being able to save your seed. Not growing GMO seed or hybrid vegetable seed allows you to keep the seed your plants create and know you'll get the same vegetable every time. We value your input and comments and want to create a community of concerned citizens who care about the food they eat, the ground they grow their vegetables in, and the world in which we live. To protect your pollinators and bees, please limit or eliminate your pesticides use, they will thank you for it! Thank you again for purching such high quality heirloom seeds!
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