Jalapeños
Quick Reference:
Harvest Type: Continuous
Transplant/Direct Sow: Direct sow
TIP: For transplanting, start seeds in peat pots and transplant the whole pot.
When to Plant: When soil temperatures are 70-80°F
Days to Germinate: 10-14 days
Days to Maturity: 60-120 days
Planting Depth: ¼” deep
Germination Temp: 70-80°F
Seed Spacing: Sow 3-4 seeds together, 18" apart. Thin to 1 plant every 18”.
Rows: 24” apart
Light: Full sun
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 pH
Water: 1” of water per week
Soil Temperature: 70-80°F
Fertilizer: 5-10-10 N-P-K ratio
Rotation: Heavy feeder. Rotate annually with root vegetables.
Planting and Care:
Harvest Type
Pepper plants generally produce a continuous crop of peppers over their growing season.
TIP: Pepper plants can be perennial. When they finish producing, lop off the plants to 18" tall and cover them before the first frost. If protected from a hard freeze, they will come back and produce earlier with a larger yield.
Transplant / Direct Sow
Direct sow peppers as they tend to go into transplant shock. You can transplant but do so with care. Use a peat pot to start them, and then remove the bottom and cut sides of the pots before transplanting the entire unit into the soil. Be sure to completely cover the pot as it will wick water away from the plant roots.
When to Plant
Sow seeds directly outdoors when the soil temperature is 70-80°F. Do so 2-3 weeks after the average last frost date for your area.
Days to Germinate
It takes peppers seeds 7-14 days to germinate.
Days to Maturity
It takes as few as 60, but up to120 days for peppers to produce their crop.
Planting Depth
Plant seeds at 1/4" deep.
Germination Temperature Range
Pepper seeds germinate the best when the soil is 70-80°F.
Spacing Between Plants
Place 3-4 seeds per plug and space plugs 18" apart. Keep rows spaced 24" apart.
Companion Plants
Basil, dill, chives, oregano, onions, and garlic are excellent companion plants for peppers.
Growing Conditions
Peppers love the heat. They also love good nutrient-rich soil. Prepare the ground with aged compost. Add a liquid fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, when the plants begin to set fruit. Water the plants consistently but avoid getting the leaves wet. The soil should be moist to 8" deep but not soggy.
Rotation
Peppers are heavy feeders. Rotate peppers annually with root vegetables.
Anticipated Yields
Plan your garden yield at 4-5 plants per person. Plan on 4-8 pounds of peppers per 10' row space. Plant more plants if you plant to dry, roast, pickle, or can the peppers.