Cultivating abundant peppers: The secrets to thriving gardens
Peppers are among the most popular vegetables grown in gardens. To enjoy abundant crops, it's essential to learn the secrets of their cultivation and fertilization. Discover how to create the perfect conditions for peppers and which natural fertilizers to use.
Peppers are a common choice in gardens due to their variety and diverse culinary applications. However, to achieve plentiful harvests, understanding the intricacies of their growth and fertilization is key. Learn what fertilizers are best for peppers.
What are the growing requirements for peppers?
Peppers are fond of warmth and thrive best in sunny, wind-sheltered areas. Ideal daytime temperatures range from 19-27°C, with nighttime temperatures of 16-18°C. Peppers flourish best in tunnels, though some resilient varieties can be cultivated outdoors.
When planting peppers outdoors, it's important to shield them from direct summer sunlight, which can scorch their leaves. Additionally, crop rotation and choosing suitable neighbouring plants are critical. Certain plants can negatively impact the growth and health of peppers. Avoid planting cruciferous vegetables such as white, red, Brussels, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale next to peppers, as they compete for soil nutrients.
Fennel can also hamper their growth. Beans, especially when growing hot pepper varieties, and potatoes, which share susceptibility to similar diseases as peppers, are unsuitable neighbours. Steering clear of these plants will help promote healthy growth and abundant yields.
What should you fertilize peppers with?
Peppers prefer nutrient-rich, humus soil, yet they require additional support to produce fruit abundantly. Fortunately, chemical fertilizers aren't necessary—simple, homemade methods suffice.
One effective homemade fertilizer is an onion peel mixture. To prepare it, collect the peels from several onions and add them to boiling water (about 1 litre). Boil the peels for about 5 minutes, then allow the decoction to cool. Once cooled, strain the peels and transfer the liquid into a jar. Add about 3-5 tablespoons of wood ash, such as from a fireplace or grill. This fertilizer can be stored in the fridge and is excellent for nourishing pepper seedlings and tomatoes. It's recommended to fertilize every 10 days to provide plants with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Another homemade vegetable fertilizer is a yeast solution. However, it's crucial to note that not all vegetables can be fertilized with it. Can you water peppers with yeast? Yes, peppers are among the vegetables that can be fertilized with yeast. How do you do it?
To make it, you need 100 grams of fresh yeast and 10 litres of warm water. Dissolve the yeast in the water, mixing thoroughly until completely dissolved. Allow the solution to sit for a few hours to enable fermentation. After this period, the fertilizer is ready for use. Water the peppers with it every 2-3 weeks.
