Sow seeds 1/4" deep, and cover with light, seed starting soil. Note: Put gloves on before starting this process so you don’t burn yourself. Planting Seeds. Water the soil just enough that it's moist. After all, indulging in different types of peppercorns can be costly, but it's much cheaper to grow your own! Grow. Seeds from biennial crops such as carrots or beets are harder to save since the plants need two growing seasons to set seed. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Don't leave your plants outside overnight until the end of hardening off, though. … Water requirements: Keep soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. Cross-pollinated plants. The key to maintaining pepper seed viability is in how it is stored; you must keep a constant temperature and eliminate any excess moisture. If your soil has not yet reached that temperature, you need to set black plastic much or something similar to warm it. To plant them, you can either lay the seeds on top of the soil, then gently push them down. Sow from mid-February to early April indoors in pots or seed trays of seed compost. Pick the peppers once they reach their full color and the skins begin to wrinkle. Peppers like well-draining soils. Pepper plants require a warm growing season in order to produce fruit. Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. Transplant the seedlings outside when the nighttime temperature is consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit and all chance of frost has passed. Some peppers turn red, yellow, or other colors at maturity. You will know it's ripe because rather than green it will be orange or red. Cut the pepper open from the stem to the tip using a clean, sharp knife. Hold the plant by the rootball (not the stem) and place it in the hole. Or you can choose one that's still green but with ends changing color. Add water so that it covers the tops of the chillies. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. One of the original Pepper Geeks! Our wide selection includes just what you're looking for -- whether you're wanting a fresh and colorful garnish for your salads or you need to spice up those Mexican and Oriental dishes or you're simply looking for a tasty and nutritious snack food, our Peppers are happy to provide. They'll also die when frost returns in fall, but that growing window is still plenty long enough for peppers. It’s good to disinfect your seeds with a solution made from white vinegar and water (50/50) or a mixture of warm water and 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. If your climate isn’t ideal for growing peppers, germinating your seeds indoors first is recommended. Water the soil. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Water the soil just enough that it's moist. By germinating your seeds indoors, transitioning your plants outside, and caring for your pepper plants, you’ll be enjoying homegrown peppers in no time. Take care not to disturb your plant’s roots during transplant. Or you could make the holes first, then drop the seeds in. Dry the viable bell pepper seeds. A wikiHow reader asked: "How long does it take for a pepper seed to sprout? Starting green peppers from seed requires planning, as pepper seeds require very specific conditions to germinate successfully. However, to maintain a variety’s diversity over time, save seeds from 5-20 pepper plants. Place the seeds in a plastic zip bag when they have dried completely, usually about two weeks from harvest. Blend slowly for a few seconds at a time until you see the seeds settling at the bottom. They grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. The stem, seeds and membrane of bell peppers and other large peppers needs to be removed. Space the seeds 2 inches apart. Dig a hole for each plant that is a bit larger than the root ball of the plant. (By the way, the phrase “days to maturity” means the length of time it takes to go from seed to flowering or fruiting plant.) Pepper plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Soil requirements: Peppers need well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. With proper storage, you should expect pepper seeds from this year’s crop to … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We recommend starting seeds indoors rather than in the garden. Slice open the pepper and shake the seeds out of the fruit and into a bowl. Assessing Seed Maturity. Choose a ripe chili pepper. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 If you’re interested in growing hot peppers from seed, you can choose from a huge variety of hot pepper plants, ranging from mildly warm and spicy poblanos to tolerably hot jalapenos.If you’re a seasoned pepper aficionado, plant a few habanero or dragon’s breath peppers. I don’t have a greenhouse and I only grow a handful of different pepper plants each year, like 5 – 10. This article has been viewed 9,943 times. Tomatoes, peppers, beans and peas are good choices for seed saving. Set pepper plant seedlings out after the last spring frost. We hope this helped you learn how to save pepper seeds for planting next year. Whether you like the red, yellow or green variety, you can grow your own bell pepper plants at home from seeds. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. For transplants to survive, the soil needs to be at least 65° F. The least amount of time is about 60 days. Peppers are easy to grow, and I keep it very simple. Use any pot or vessel the size of a yogurt cup or larger with a hole in the bottom to plant seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dark place until planting time. In zone 6b, I start mine in mid-March. It's a blast in the d… Provide support for growing peppers and mulch well. By growing an assortment of varieties of peppers, you can have mild, meaty peppers for salads or stir-fries, slightly spicy peppers for fresh salsas, and hot peppers for bold jolts of flavor. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut peppers with a short stub of stem attached. You can always buy the seeds (ensuring their quality to some degree), but if you can get your hands on fresh peppers in your region, you can obtain seeds from the pod. 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