If this summer is at all similar the the summer of '92 (cool and dark), it could be a frustration year for growing peppers. There are some tricks we northern gardeners can use to be sure that we get a good harvest from our pepper patches.

The first step is to resist the temptation to set your pepper transplants out in the garden too early. Pepper plants will suffer and often die if planted before night temperatures stay above 50 degrees. A good rule of thumb is to plant your peppers about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks after you put your tomatoes in. Peppers are happiest when days are about 75 degrees with night temperatures above 60 degrees. In our area, the short growing season, and potential for cool weather late into the summer can make pepper growing a frustration project. To get an earlier start and insure the warmth necessary for blossom and fruit setting, I like to build an enclosure of Remay or another horticultural fabric around my pepper patch. These fabrics are very light so lots of sun can get through. They are also porous so that water will pass through them. Early in June when nights are still cool, I will plant the peppers, and completely enclose them in a small frame of stakes covered with the fabric. The fabric holds the heat that rises from the soil at night, keeping the air around the plants warmer overnight. In the daytime the fabric creates a greenhouse effect inside the enclosure. The tiny holes in the fabric allow excess heat to escape, preventing overheating. The environment inside my pepperdome in June simulates the climate we won't experience until July. This will give my pepper plants the head start they need. When the hotter part of summer arrives and our daytime temperatures go above 85 degrees, I will remove the cover to prevent overheating the now-producing pepper plants. The sides I leave in place to block the wind. Later in September I will replace the top to extend my harvest as late into the fall as possible. Remember, the smaller and hotter the pepper variety, the more warmth you need to get good results.

Home   Peter Bowden's Gardening Magazine   Information Directory   Contact Us