Several reasons make pepper a preferred outdoor plant. You can also grow this versatile crop in your backyard and spice up your culinary. This guide will help you learn tips about pepper growing in Colorado and where to buy healthy seedlings.
Why Peppers are a Favorite Garden Crop in Colorado?
Here are a few reasons why peer is a good plant for your Colorado kitchen or vegetable garden.
Favorable Climate
Pepper requires warmth and enough sunlight to flourish and increase yield. While Colorado has a mixed climate with favorable and unfordable weather conditions, the warm months are enough to grow your pepper. Moreover, pepper can withstand significant temperature changes, meaning you should not worry about the cold nights during the growing season.
Short Growing Season
The mixed climate in Colorado may not support crops with long growing seasons, which explains why pepper is a good option for this area. Pepper takes between 60 and 150 days to mature. The short growing season allows you to plant and harvest your crop before extreme temperatures.
Resistance to Pests and Diseases
Pepper is relatively resistant to common crop pests and diseases in Colorado. Disease and pest resistance means you can plant and harvest your pepper without stretching your crop maintenance budget. With routine crop care and watering, you can be sure of a bumper harvest at the end of the growing season.
When to Plant Peppers Outside in Colorado
Successful pepper farming depends on your crop management skills. Crop management skills include transplanting at the right time to ensure your crops mature before the end of the short growing season. You can germinate your pepper seeds indoors and transplant them when the outside conditions are favorable. You know your transplanting time is favorable if;
- The night time temps are above 50
- There is no imminent danger of frost
- It is the month of June and sometimes July, depending on the weather
Planting Too Early Can Stunt Pepper Growth
Pepper is a warm-season crop that requires night temps of above 50. These temps begin in June. Planting before June may stunt your crops for the following reasons.
- Soil temps may be too cold to support root development, leading to stunted growth
- Planting too early puts your plants at risk of frost, which can stunt or kill them. The last frost occurs in May, explaining why we recommend transplanting in June or July.
- Planting too early increases the risk of transplant shock, which can slow crop growth.
Types of Peppers that Grow Best in Colorado
Most pepper varieties will do well in Colorado. However, the following pepper varieties are the best to grow in Colorado
- Anaheim
- Ancho /Poblano
- Apache
- Banana
- Big Jim
- Burning Bush
- California Wonder
- Cayenne
- De Árbol
- Giant Marconi
- Gypsy
- Habanero
- Habanero Orange
- Hot Cherry Peppers
- Jalapeño
- Jalapeño Gigante
- Jalapeño Purple
- Mariachi
- Mirasol
- Pepperoncini
- Purple Beauty
- Purple Beauty
- Red Beauty
- Red Cap Mushroom
- Sandia
- Scotch Bonnet
- Scotch Bonnet
- Serrano
- Sonora
- Sweet Banana
- Sweet Cherry Pepper
- Thai Hot Pepper
Peppers with Shorter Seed to Harvest Timeline
As mentioned earlier, Colorado has a short pepper growing season. While good timing can help you remain within the planting season, choosing a variety with a shorter seed-to-harvest timeline is a better option. The following varieties mature fast and thrive well in Colorado.
- Anaheim Peppers
- Hatch Peppers
- Jalapeño Peppers
- Sweet Bell Peppers
Can you Grow hot peppers In Colorado?
While many peppers thrive in Colorado, hot peppers can be challenging to grow. The hot pepper varieties take longer to mature. However, you can plant them indoors and transplant them to fit in the short growing season.
Start Your Pepper Garden Today
Pepper thrives in Colorado, and incorporating it in your garden can ensure enough supply of this delicious spice. Nick’s Garden Center is here to support your pepper-growing journey. Contact us to order healthy pepper seedlings or a crop management guide.
