While oranges are hailed for high vitamin C content, Chili peppers contain approximately twice as much vitamin C. The best part is that peppers are easy to cultivate, giving you the freedom to grow your supply at home.
Nonetheless, growing peppers in Colorado is a little challenging. Colorado has a shorter growing season, and yet peppers need a relatively longer period to mature. But, still, you can grow peppers with the following tips from Nick’s Garden Center.
1. Understand Colorado’s Pepper Landscape
Colorado’s pepper climate is a mix of weather conditions, some favorable and others unfavorable. In summer, the state gets warm temperatures and adequate sunlight. Likewise, in winter, the temperatures fall to freezing levels.
The most suitable pepper growing season spans from mid-May to mid-October. During the mentioned months, Colorado experiences warm temperatures and adequate sunlight. The warmth and sunlight support optimal growth as long as the soil is well-fertilized and watered.
2. Picking the Perfect Pepper
Many chili pepper varieties do well in Colorado. Thus, depending on personal preferences, you should choose your most suitable type from mild, medium, or hot. Since Colorado’s pepper growing season is relatively short, ensure that the varieties you select have a quick growing span.
With pepper varieties that mature quickly, you will get to harvest before winter sets in. The most popular pepper varieties that thrive well in Colorado’s climate include:
- Anaheim Peppers. This variety has mild heat, ideal for cooking and roasting.
- Hatch Peppers. The hotness of Hatch Peppers ranges from mild to hot. They are great for stews and soups.
- Jalapeño Peppers. The Jalapeño pepper has a moderate kick and is suitable for grilled meat and salsas.
- Sweet Bell Peppers. The bell pepper has a mild heat, ideal for people who don’t prefer hot varieties. The peppers’ varied colors help improve the visual appeal of various dishes.
3. Indoor Seed Starting for a Head Start
For the best results, Nick’s Garden experts recommend starting pepper seeds indoors before planting outdoors. Starting seed indoors ensures that your seedlings will have developed a robust network of roots before the planting season.
Ideally, you should start your pepper seeds indoors approximately 6 – 8 weeks before the planting season. This 6-8 weeks time frame allows seeds to develop into robust seedlings ready for transplanting.
To transplant, use the following blueprint as a guideline:
- Get the right supplies, including seeds and a quality seed-starting mix.
- Fill seed trays with your seed-starting mix.
- Plant your pepper seeds about 0.25 inches deep.
- Mist the soil surface with enough water.
- Keep the seed trays in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
- When the seedlings germinate, remove the weaker ones.
- Acclimate the seedlings by placing them outside for a week before transplanting.
4. Transplanting & Thriving
Hardening off pepper seedlings prevents shock, which can slow down growth. On the day of transplanting, dig holes in well-drained soil. Afterward, place the seedlings at a depth matching their original containers.
After transplanting your seedlings, water them one to two times a week. In addition to watering, apply a balanced fertilizer to boost the seedling’s growth. Occasionally, inspect the Chili pepper for signs of disease and pest attack. Use organic pesticides to control pests.
Achieve Pepper Growing Success With the Support of Nick’s Garden Center
Nick’s Garden Center is your trusted partner in matters of pepper cultivation. Our garden center supplies healthy seedlings for all pepper varieties. Beyond selling seedlings, we furnish our clients with the correct gardening information to increase their chances of success.
Contact us to order your pepper seedlings or learn more cultivation tips from a skilled gardener.
