A Beginner's Guide to Growing Peppers in Zone 6

If lush bushy plants heavy with ripe peppers are your goal, you're in luck! Today I'm sharing my Guide for Growing Peppers. If you've ever wondered what it takes to grow state-fair quality peppers, this guide is here to spill the beans (or should I say, peppers?).

Get ready to unlock the secrets of growing big peppers and discover how we can boost your pepper harvest while creating a harmonious and thriving garden. Ready? Let's dive in!

To make this how to grow peppers guide easier to use, this article is split up into the following sections: Basic Pepper Growing Tips, When to Plant Peppers Zone 6, How to Plant Peppers, Caring for Peppers, Best Garden Companions for Peppers, Common Diseases and Pest Control, and finally Harvesting & Preserving Peppers.

Feel free to skip ahead to the section you need most! Look for the bolded headings or use the jump-to button below.

Jump to:

Basic Pepper Growing Tips
Popular Pepper Varieties
When to Start Pepper Seeds Indoors Zone 6
How to Plant Pepper Seeds
How to Plant Peppers (plants)
Peppers like it hot!
Caring for Peppers
What is companion planting?
Best Companion Plants for Peppers
Nutrients Peppers Need
Harvesting Peppers
Common Diseases and Pest Control
How to Preserve Peppers
More gardening posts you'll love!
Comments

Basic Pepper Growing Tips

To set the stage for a bountiful pepper harvest, it's essential to provide your pepper plants with the right conditions to thrive. First and foremost, peppers crave sunlight and warm temperatures, so choose a sunny spot in your garden with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

They also need well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by incorporating compost or aged manure to boost fertility and moisture retention. To find the best time of year to plant peppers in your garden, enter your zip code to find your garden zone to determine your last frost date. Use this date to count backwards and see when you should be planting based on the seed packet or transplants. Remember, this is just a starting point and a general rule, and not necessarily the best date for your specific location.

Here in zone 6B, I get the best results when I start seedlings indoors in the greenhouse or under grow lights in early February and transplant them into the garden Mother's Day weekend, depending on average nighttime temperatures.

Adequate watering is crucial, aiming for consistent moisture without water logging the roots. Proper spacing between plants allows for good airflow and reduces the risk of disease. As heavy feeders, peppers appreciate regular fertilization, particularly with a balanced pepper-specific fertilizer that's high in phosphorus for strong root development and fruit production.

Pruning and providing support for the pepper plants can help prevent diseases and maximize fruit exposure to sunlight.

Popular Pepper Varieties

Let's talk hot peppers! Ever wonder why some peppers pack a fiery punch while others are as sweet as can be? It all comes down to capsaicinoid compounds, the spicy stuff that gives peppers their heat. The Scoville scale is like our spicy roadmap, ranking peppers based on their capsaicin content.

Now, when it comes to the hottest of the hot, we're talking about some serious contenders. Take 'Habanero', 'Trinidad Moruga Scorpion', 'Scotch Bonnets', 'Carolina Reaper', and 'Ghost' pepper (also known as 'Bhut jolokia'), for example. These bad boys belong to the Capsicum chinense species and can bring even the bravest taste buds to their knees.

But let's not forget about the 'Tabasco' pepper, a fiery favorite from the Capsicum frutescens family. It may not be as intense as its chinense cousins, but it still packs a punch!

Okay, but let's just be honest. I am not going to be eating any of those hot pepper plants, even if my husband thinks they're great. My favorite varieties are King of the North red bell pepper, pepperoncinis, serrano tampiqueno, jalapeño and Etudia orange bell peppers. I also grow a mini bell mix of sweet peppers.

A basket of pepperoncini peppers sitting on a raised garden bed.

When to Start Pepper Seeds Indoors Zone 6

In Zone 6, where the last frost date typically occurs in mid to late April, you should start pepper seeds indoors approximately 8-10 weeks before the expected last frost date.

This means you would start your pepper seeds indoors around early to mid-February for mid-April transplanting. Starting them at this time allows the seedlings to grow strong and healthy indoors before being transferred to the outdoor garden after the threat of frost has passed.

How to Plant Pepper Seeds

Pepper seeds have a long growing season and typically require 8-10 weeks of indoor growth before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after the last frost date. Get a jump start by planting pepper seeds indoors about 8-10 weeks before the expected last frost date in your area. This gives the seedlings enough time to grow and develop into sturdy plants that can withstand outdoor conditions once the danger of frost has passed.

Gather your supplies: You'll need quality seed-starting mix, small pots or trays, plug trays, seed trays, or peat pellets, and of course, your pepper seed packets.
Prep your pots: Fill your pots or trays with moistened potting soil, leaving about half an inch of space at the top.
Plant the seeds: Make small indentations in the soil, about a quarter-inch deep. Drop one or two pepper seeds into each indentation.
Cover and water: Gently cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil, then give them a good watering. Make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged for good germination.
Provide warmth and light: Place your pots in a warm, sunny spot, or use a grow light to provide the necessary warmth and light for germination. I highly recommend using a seedling heat mat to keep the soil temperature warm.
Be patient: Pepper seeds can take 1-2 weeks to germinate, so be patient and keep an eye on them. I've had peppers that have taken more than a couple weeks to germinate, so try to be patient. Different varieties will have different seed germination rates, even with ideal conditions.
Sunny spot: Once those first leaves peek out, it's time to give your little sprouts some sunshine or cozy up under a grow light. Leggy seedlings can occur without adequate light, so don't skip this. And here's a pro tip: thin 'em out to one seedling per pot to keep things breezy and ensure each plant gets its fair share of nutrients. I keep a fan running so that the seedlings develop strong stems.
Transplanting: Once your pepper seedlings have their first set of true leaves and are sturdy enough to handle, you can begin hardening them off at around six to eight weeks in. Start toughening up those seedlings by gradually introducing them to the great outdoors. A few hours of sun a day, increasing gradually, will do the trick. Just make sure to tuck 'em in before the nighttime chill sets in. You can transplant them into larger pots or directly into your garden.

A flat of pepper plants that were just planted and are labeled with white tags.

How to Plant Peppers (plants)

Whether your grew them yourself, or bought cell packs of sweet bell peppers from your local garden center, here's how to successfully plant them into your garden or raised garden bed. And while drip irrigation isn't necessary, I promise it is worth the effort and will help your small seedlings and mature plants grow with minimal effort from you!

To plant a hardened off pepper seedling, start by choosing a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Dig a hole that is much deeper than the root ball of the seedling. Gently prune the bottom row or two of leaves and remove the seedling from its container, being careful not to damage the delicate roots. Place the seedling in the hole, allowing the top of the root ball to be level with the soil surface.

Add any needed amendments, like blood meal or worm castings. If you are unsure about the health of your soil, you can always order a soil test online. Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the base of the plant. Read my post Cheap Ways to Add Nitrogen to the Soil for more ideas!

Water the newly planted seedling thoroughly to settle the soil and provide moisture to the roots. Consider adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

Finally, provide support for the pepper plant, such as a stake or cage, to help it grow upright and maintain stability as it matures.

Peppers like it hot!

A successful pepper crop starts in the early spring while the temperatures are fluctuating like crazy. Peppers HATE to be cold. Even a few nights in the 40F range can have a lasting impact. Tough in hardiness zone 6, right? We can have cool nights for a long time, even after the frost dates have passed.

The ideal temperature range for peppers are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the day, and above 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Cooler temperatures can cause the flowers to be damaged, which results in misshapen peppers or stunted growth. Not worth it, considering the hard work we've put into our garden!

As I mentioned above, I start my pepper seedlings indoors long before they can be moved outdoors. Even after I do, I use row covers or a cold frame to keep the plants warm. Larger pots or grow bags can easily be moved indoors or covered with quilts during cold snaps while the soil temperatures remain warm.

Caring for Peppers

Throughout the growing season, regularly monitor for common garden pests and diseases. See my Organic Guide to Pest Control if you need some ideas. Consider using companion plants to enhance pest control and promote a healthy garden ecosystem.

Proper support and pruning techniques can help your pepper plants thrive, ensuring good airflow, reducing disease risks, and maximizing fruit production. Remember to fertilize your peppers appropriately, providing a balanced blend of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Lastly, keep an eye on your peppers as they ripen, and harvest them when they reach peak flavor and color.

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is like arranging a pepper garden playdate! Imagine plants hanging out together and helping each other out, like best buddies. Companion planting is all about strategically pairing different plants that bring out the best in each other. You see, certain plants have unique qualities that can benefit their neighboring companions.

They can help repel pests, improve pollination, enhance nutrient uptake, and even provide shade or support. It's like a teamwork approach to gardening, where plants support and complement each other to create a happy, healthy garden.

It's pretty amazing how these plant friendships can make a real difference in your pepper plants' growth and productivity!

Best Companion Plants for Peppers

Companion planting can be a game-changer when it comes to growing peppers. Here are a few fantastic benefits that make it worth trying.

Cilantro | Plant cilantro around peppers to discourage pests and attract pollinators.
Basil | Basil not only adds flavor to your culinary creations but also acts as a natural pest repellent for peppers. It can help repel flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and spider mites.
Marigolds | Marigolds are renowned for their ability to repel various insects, including nematodes, aphids, whiteflies, and certain types of beetles. Their strong scent and natural compounds act as a deterrent.
Borage | Borage is a companion plant that attracts beneficial insects like bees. Its bright blue flowers and fuzzy leaves add charm to the garden while providing pest control benefits.
Sweet Alyssum | This dainty white flower attracts beneficial pollinators and pest-eating insects. It also spreads like a ground cover and keeps the soil moist. These are one of my favorite annual flowers to plant in the garden!
Nasturtiums | Bold and vining nasturtiums have dual benefit in the garden. Their vibrant flowers add beauty, and their strong scent deters pests like aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs. They also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which can help control aphid populations.
Chives | Chives are part of the onion family and have a strong scent that repels pests like aphids and Japanese beetles.
Calendula | These sunny flowers attract beneficial insects and repel unwanted pests including some nefarious nematodes.
Garlic | Known for its pungent aroma, garlic repels a range of pests. Aphids, mites, and whiteflies will all stay far away from peppers when garlic is near! Peppers tend to grow well with most root vegetables.

A bursting garden in zone 6B with raised beds, zinnias, kale, a stock tank pool and this post shares cheap ways to add nitrogen to soil.

Nutrients Peppers Need

To ensure your pepeprs receive the necessary nutrients, you can use a balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes or incorporate organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Regular soil testing can help you determine any nutrient deficiencies and adjust your fertilization accordingly. Read my post Is Fertilizer Plant Food? for a deeper dive!

Peppers have specific nutrient requirements to grow and produce healthy, flavorful peppers. Here are the essential nutrients that peppers need:

Nitrogen is crucial for vegetative growth, leaf development, and overall plant vigor. It helps produce lush green foliage. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth and reduced fruiting. It's best to provide a balanced nitrogen source throughout the growing season.
Phosphorus promotes root development, flower formation, and fruit set. It plays a vital role in the early stages of growth and helps establish a strong root system. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers are especially beneficial during transplanting and when flowers are forming.
Potassium contributes to overall plant health, disease resistance, and fruit quality. It aids in water regulation, nutrient uptake, and carbohydrate metabolism. Potassium is essential for developing flavorful and well-colored peppers.
Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis. It is necessary for the production of energy-rich compounds and contributes to overall plant health.
Peppers also require small amounts of micronutrients like iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B). These trace elements are necessary for various enzymatic processes and play crucial roles in overall plant growth and development.

Harvesting Peppers

Knowing when a pepper is ready to be harvested is important to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your peppers are ripe and ready to be picked!

First, I'm going to tell you what "the books say," then I'm going to share with you what I have found to work best on our homestead.

When peppers are ready for picking, they'll typically have reached their full size and color. For most varieties, this means they'll have a vibrant hue and a firm, glossy appearance. Additionally, peppers should feel firm to the touch and snap easily from the plant when gently pulled. Keep an eye out for signs of wrinkling or soft spots, which can indicate overripeness.

We have had great luck by picking our peppers when they first blush and letting them ripen indoors, away from the critters that also want a bite of my pretty peppers.

Peppers can continue to ripen off the plant if picked while still green. Placing them on a countertop or windowsill at room temperature can encourage further ripening. Keep an eye on them and they should gradually develop their mature color and flavor over the course of several days to a week.

Additionally, storing them with a ripe banana or apple can help speed up the ripening process, as these fruits release ethylene gas, which promotes ripening in other fruits and vegetables.

A harvest of fresh picked peppers and tomatoes.

Common Diseases and Pest Control

To prevent pepper diseases, it's essential to maintain good garden hygiene, practice crop rotation, provide proper spacing for airflow, avoid overhead watering, and choose disease-resistant varieties when possible. Additionally, applying organic fungicides or treatments as preventive measures can help protect plants from disease. Regular inspection of plants for signs of disease and prompt action if symptoms are detected are also crucial for disease prevention.

Bacterial Leaf Spot: Identified by dark spots on leaves, this disease thrives in warm, humid conditions. Prevent it by spacing plants adequately for airflow, avoiding overhead watering, and removing infected plant material.
Powdery Mildew: Characterized by a white, powdery coating on leaves, powdery mildew can weaken plants. Prevent it by providing good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and applying fungicides preventatively.
Verticillium Wilt: This soil-borne fungus causes yellowing and wilting of leaves. Prevent it by rotating crops, choosing disease-resistant varieties, and maintaining healthy soil through proper watering and fertilization.
Phytophthora Root Rot: Caused by a soil-borne pathogen, this disease leads to root rot and stunted growth. Prevent it by planting peppers in well-draining soil, avoiding overwatering, and rotating crops.
Anthracnose: Identified by dark, sunken lesions on fruit, anthracnose can lead to fruit rot. Prevent it by practicing crop rotation, removing infected plant material, and applying fungicides preventatively.

How to Preserve Peppers

Peppers can be preserved by dehydrating, canning, fermenting, and freeze drying.

I love drying diced peppers in my food dehydrator and then reconstituting them in soups when I need a fresh peppers but they are out of season! We also keep a mason jar of assorted dehydrated pepper "flakes" in our spice cabinet to add heat to boring dishes. We generally do this at the end of the season when we pick all of the peppers before our first frost. It's a great time, and a very fast and easy way to preserve a huge crop!

I wash and slice bell peppers with serranos and jalepenos and blanch and freeze them in the perfect portions for fajitas.

One of my favorite ways to eat peppers is roasted in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit with a few cloves of peeled garlic, tomatoes, freshly ground pepper and sea salt. Line a pan with parchment paper and then drizzle the veggies with olive oil. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes burst open and the juices begin to release. Pour this into a shallow bowl and use it as a dip for sourdough bread or sourdough baguettes! It's so elegant, and so easy!