When do you sow pepper seeds?

17 years ago

I don't even have any pepper seeds, wasn't planning on growing them, but on another forum people were talking about peppers.

Reading about them made me think about how I love peppers and how I rarely buy them they are SO expensive where I live.

These guys are growing them inside [heck, why would anyone do that?! :)], but transposing to WS'ing, I'm thinking in my zone 6, around April 1st.

Does that sound right?

How long to germinate?

I understand they are very frost sensitive.

thanks,

el

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Comments (6)

MLcom
17 years ago
Ellen see you are in my frozen land. I have already planted and put out side in the cold. Planning on doing alot of peppers this year so more to follow. They need warm conditons to sprout.

ML
irisgirl
17 years ago
Ellen, we are having a terribly early spring here but I did go ahead and set out about 6 containers of various peppers/chilis this very afternoon. Now I see it's gonna be in the 20s overnite so guess who has to go out in her nightie and fetch the containers in!

Oh, well, with temps in the 60s & 70s during the day OUTSIDE - so I do not have to use a heat mat - or MY electricity = "priceless". So if you want to keep them warm inside at least @ night & have them outside in the daytime, I'd say go for it.

Need seeds? I have a whole bunch of Orange Bell seeds, and some great jalapeno seeds, too. Let me know...
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PVick
17 years ago
I'm with mlcom - you don't have to wait until April 1. I'll be sowing mine by next week. It's the seedlings that are frost sensitive, not the seeds.

When I sow them mid-March, it takes about 2-3 weeks for germination. Of course, you could sow them later too - they'd probably come up faster. Your choice.

Peppers tend to have a long DTM, so that's why a lot of folks start them inside - to get a jump on that time, especially in places with short growing seasons.

Personally, there's no way for me to start seeds inside. so I WS them. Two plants give me a decent yield every year.

It's all good.

PV
PVick
17 years ago
P.S. - irisgirl, it's too cold to be running around outside in your nightie! Those containers will be just fine.

PV
ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
Original Author
17 years ago
irisgirl,
oooh, another enabler :)
I would like some seeds, just a few -send me your addy, and I'll send you a SASE bubble.

So let me get this right - it's not too late to sow right?
And once they germinate (how long does that take?)
they should be protected from frost?

Well once they germinate, it will probably be beyond the frost date here?
And does anyone direct sow also?
I thot about direct sowing some vegies, for comparison.

thanks,
ellen

Thanks Irisgirl!
karendee
17 years ago
I started some hot peppers in side last year. It took them forever to grow peppers. I ended up buying some plants to supplement.

My hubby and I love them and I make hot sauce out of them. I did not get enough hot ones last year to make good sauce :(

I may try again this year if I have enough seeds and containers. I will WS them (probably in Early April)

Karen