How to grow peppers

Timing

They describe setting out 6- to 8-week-old transplants after the soil has thoroughly warmed, and not planting until after the last chance of frost; start seed indoors six to eight weeks prior. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Peppers should be spaced 12 inches apart in the row; rows 3 feet apart. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average. (They list a different in-row spacing for pimento.)

Temperature

Peppers are warm-season plants; their sheet lists 70 to 85°F during the day and 60 to 70°F during the night. Temperature range on their sheet — not a BioArva climate zone.

Types

They classify peppers by hot or mild flavor. Mild peppers on their sheet include bell, banana, pimento, and sweet cherry; hot peppers include jalapeño, habanero, cayenne, large cherry, and tabasco. Classification on their sheet — not a BioArva ranking and not a Scoville score.

Mulch

They describe mulching as a way to retain consistent soil moisture and conserve water. Cultural note on their sheet — not a BioArva mulch program.

Limit

South Carolina HGIC 1316 only. Spacing is not averaged with Iowa State, UMN, or Maryland.

Timing

Seeds may be started indoors 6–8 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date; transplant after the danger of frost is past. In central Iowa they suggest mid-May. Geographic timing — not a national date.

Spacing

Pepper plants are commonly spaced 18 inches apart within rows; rows 24–30 inches apart. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Temperature

Their sheet lists daytime temperatures of 70–85°F in the context of plant growth. Temperature note on their sheet — not a yield promise.

Sun

Their sheet lists growing peppers in full sun. Light note on their sheet — not a ranking of sites.

Water

Pepper plants prefer an inch of water per week throughout the growing season; during dry periods, thoroughly water plants once a week. Water note on their sheet — not a BioArva irrigation schedule.

Mulch

Mulch is listed on their sheet. Cultural note on their sheet — not a BioArva mulch program.

Limit

Iowa pepper sheet only. Mid-May is central Iowa, not a national date.

Timing

Start pepper from seeds indoors about eight weeks before planting outside. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Timing

Transplant outdoors after nighttime low temperatures are above 50°F. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Space pepper plants 18 inches apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Rotation

Choose a location where you have not grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants and tomatillos for the past three or four years. Rotation note on their sheet — not a BioArva calendar.

Seedling

Pepper plants may start to flower while still indoors; they describe pinching off clusters of flower buds until just before setting plants out. Seedling-handling note on their sheet — not a yield promise.

Transplant

When transplanting seedlings in peat pots, do not expose the top edge of the peat pot above the soil surface. Placement note on their sheet — not a BioArva pot SKU.

Limit

Minnesota sheet only. Spacing is not averaged with Clemson, Iowa State, or Maryland.

Timing

Set out transplants after the soil has thoroughly warmed in the spring; start seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the average frost-free date (some types and cultivars require 12 weeks). Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Timing

Their planting guidance says setting transplants before soil temperature reaches 65°F can leave plants stalled. Source-specific timing note—not a national plant date or diagnosis.

Hardiness

Frost will injure top growth; they describe peppers as a very tender warm-season plant grown as an annual in Maryland. Hardiness on their sheet — not a freeze-proof claim.

Spacing

Spacing 12–24 inches in-row by 30–36 inches between rows; they also list double, staggered rows in 2-foot-wide beds. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Container

Plant peppers in well-drained soil or containers (5-gallon minimum). Container note on their sheet — not a ranking of pots vs ground and not a BioArva pot SKU.

Sun

Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours per day; their sheet also lists 8–10 hours per day. Light note on their sheet — not a ranking of sites.

Limit

Maryland pepper sheet only. Timing and spacing are not averaged with other states.

Timing

Peppers should be transplanted when soils are 60°F or after all frost danger has passed. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Timing

Seed can be planted in the garden 2 weeks before the last frost. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Timing

Allow 8–10 weeks to grow transplants; transplants should have 6–9 mature leaves and a well-developed root system before planting. Timing/stage on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Plant 4–6 pepper seeds ½ inch deep and 18 inches apart in the row; after the seedlings have two leaves, thin to a single plant. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Limit

Utah sheet only. Direct-seed timing is not a national rule.