You Should Grow Snack Peppers Instead of Bell Peppers
Peppers are one of the best vegetables to grow. They are expensive to buy, even in season; they do not take up much space in the garden; and while there are limited quantities of peppers available in stores, there are thousands of varieties that you can grow. Plus, you can choose exactly when to collect them.
However, the pepper that most people choose to grow in their garden—the full-size bell pepper—is a waste in my opinion. Each plant produces only a few peppers, and due to their size, bell peppers take some time to grow and then mature. At this time, peppers are susceptible to pests and diseases. Even under the most ideal circumstances, you’ll likely only end up with a few large peppers.
Instead, try growing snack peppers, a miniature version of bell peppers. Each plant produces heaps of peppers that ripen in a shorter period of time. You can use them the same way you would use large bell peppers (except for the filling). Available in red, yellow, chocolate, purple and orange, these peppers add a splash of color to the garden. Over the past two years I have collected over fifty peppers from each plant.
When to start growing sweet peppers
Peppers are one of the nightshade trio that almost everyone grows every summer (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers). Because these three require sun and warmth that is usually only found in the summer months, they truly are a once-a-year treat. Pepper seeds generally need to be started early because they take longer to germinate than other nightshades. In my region (Pacific Northwest) this means I plant my pepper seeds in early March. If you have not yet sowed your pepper seeds, you should do so immediately so that you have time to start growing before the temperature outside reaches fifty degrees overnight and you can place them outside. I don’t know anyone who sows peppers with direct seed outdoors; Gardeners usually start with seedlings that they have purchased or grown themselves because you need a supply of seedlings to get started quickly.
How to stimulate branching and support the plant
As your pepper plant grows, you should encourage as much branching as possible, as this will result in more peppers. When the plant has its first set of true leaves, pinch them off with your fingers so that the plant produces two branches, each with its own set of leaves. You can continue to pinch off double leaves to encourage the plant to produce more branches. When your plant produces its first flower, many gardeners remove the flower from the plant, as well as every branch and leaf underneath the flower, down to the soil line. Removing the first flower encourages the plant to produce more, which will produce fruit. Clearing the leaves below the flower will stimulate air flow and force the plant to focus energy on the plant above the flower.
The most common mistake I see people making is expecting their pepper plant to support itself. Your plant should reach two to three feet in height, but snack pepper plants will be heavy with fruit, and heavy on top. At the very least, support the plant with one stake for the main stem. But it would be better to consider a trellis that will also provide support for the branches. Peppers don’t grow as wide as tomatoes, so tomato trellises are often too wide to provide any real support. Instead, consider pepper racks .
Protect from diseases and pests
Peppers are most susceptible to fungal diseases. The solution to this problem is to ensure good air flow around the pepper plant and water only at the base of the plant. When you handle the plant, make sure your hands are clean and immediately cut out leaves with noticeable problems. You can purchase seeds that are resistant to bacterial leaf spot, another common pepper disease, but if the seeds are not resistant, you’ll need to watch for the signs: green and brown spots on the leaves. You can try to treat bacterial leaf spot with copper preparations, but you may instead decide to remove the plant to prevent it from spreading to the rest of your garden.
The biggest threat to your peppers is pests that nibble on the fruit as it ripens. Peppers are colorful and easy to spot. The best solution is to remove them from the plant as soon as possible, so snacking on the peppers is a good idea. Peppers don’t ripen internally on their own, so they should be harvested when they show some color, but you also don’t have to wait until they’re fully developed.
How to eat peppers
You can eat snack peppers raw, just like bell peppers. You can roast or roast them, char and peel them, or use them in any other way, just like the larger varieties. I roast and freeze them every year. The only limitation is their size, so stuffing these little peppers makes a great appetizer, if not a main course.
There are a number of seeds to consider, and if you miss the time to sow your seeds, you can find snack peppers at your local nursery or order them online for delivery.
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SVPS0953 (bacterial leaf spot resistant), orange, red and yellow.
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“Sweet Nibblers”, available with red seeds or plants or yellow seeds or plants.