Unlock the secrets to thriving peppers in your gardens

Peppers are among the most commonly grown vegetables in gardens. Their variety of types and culinary uses make them a favorite choice for gardeners. However, to enjoy abundant crops, it's important to understand the secrets of their cultivation and fertilization. Learn which fertilizers to use for peppers.

Peppers are heat-loving plants that thrive best in sunny and wind-sheltered locations. Ideal conditions include daytime temperatures ranging from 66-81°F and nighttime temperatures of 61-64°F. Peppers grow best in tunnels, but there are also more resistant varieties that can be grown outdoors.

It's important to remember that when planting peppers outdoors, they should be protected from direct sun in the summer, which can scorch the leaves. Furthermore, crop rotation and suitable neighboring plants are critical. Peppers have particular preferences for garden neighbors, and some plants can negatively affect their growth and health. It's best to avoid planting cruciferous vegetables next to peppers, such as white, red, Brussels, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale, as they compete with peppers for soil nutrients.

Fennel can also negatively affect their growth. Beans, especially in the case of hot pepper varieties, and potatoes, which are susceptible to the same diseases as peppers, are also not recommended neighbors. Avoiding these plants near peppers will help ensure healthy growth and abundant crops.

Peppers prefer rich, humus soil, but to truly bear fruit abundantly, they need extra support. Fortunately, you don't have to resort to chemical fertilizers—simple, homemade methods are sufficient.

One effective homemade fertilizer is an onion peel preparation. To prepare it, gather the peels from several onions and toss them into boiling water (about 1 quart). Boil the peels for about 5 minutes, then cool the mixture. Once cooled, strain the peels and pour the decoction into a jar. Add about 3-5 tablespoons of wood ash, e.g., from a fireplace or grill. This prepared fertilizer can be stored in the fridge. It's ideal for nourishing pepper seedlings as well as tomatoes. Fertilizing every 10 days is recommended to provide plants with the right amount of nutrients and support their healthy growth.

Another homemade vegetable fertilizer is a yeast solution. However, it's important to remember 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 prepare it, you'll need 3.5 oz of fresh yeast and 2.6 gallons of warm water. Dissolve the yeast in the water, mixing thoroughly until completely dissolved. Then let the solution sit for a few hours to allow the yeast to ferment. After this time, the fertilizer is ready to use. Water the peppers with it every 2-3 weeks.