How to Grow patio pepper plants
This guide on how to grow patio pepper plants will help you turn your back porch into a thriving garden. Can you grow vegetables on a patio? Yes you can and I will show you how!
How to Start a Backyard Garden right outside your kitchen door, growing all the produce and herbs you love.
When I was younger, having a huge backyard garden was a part of my summer routine. Now that I am in midlife, having anything that requires constant work and attention is not something I am intentionally seeking out.
Do peppers grow well in pots?
Pepper plants grow quite well in containers as long as you include a few key factors.
- Use the right sized container.
- Be sure there is plenty of drainage.
- Use soil that is good for the container as well as the plant.
If you are not quire sure what is the best container and how to plant and grow peppers on your patio, no worries we will cover each area so by the end of this article you will have all the information you need to get growing!
What are the best containers to use?
Let’s start with the container because it is probably the most important part of your growing success. The good news is that you can use any flower pots you have lying around, repurpose misc containers such as buckets, or purchase grow bags online.
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If you are repurposing a container, make sure to add enough drainage to the bottom. You can do this with a drill or a hammer and nail, making holes in the base to allow any excess water to flow out. Roots that sit in damp to wet soil continuously will rot, damaging the plant’s health. This is why drainage is an important step you will not want to skip.
Choose the Best Sized Container
The size of the container will depend on the pepper plant you are growing. Let’s look at a few of the most common varieties.
#1. Bell Peppers
Bell Peppers are the most commonly known pepper and will need a container close to 10 gallons or are at least 12 inches wide. If you plant in a container that is too small, your plant will still grow, but it will not be as productive as it would in a larger pot.
#2. Chili Peppers
Chilis will do well in a 12-inch wide container that is 5-7 gallons. If you are growing a larger variety, you will want to increase the size to 10-15 gallons or more, whereas draw peppers only need a 2-gallon pot.
#3. Hungarian Wax Peppers
These peppers need a wider container, about 16 inches, with 24 inches recommended by some gardeners.
#4. Jalapeños
Jalapeño peppers do best in a medium-sized pot that is about 3-5 gallons and 12 inches in diameter.
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Are containers heavy when planted?
When I first started growing our garden in containers, I was concerned about the weight of a planted pot. The first year I used regular soil and yes, the containers were really, really heavy to move.
Then, I realized that I could use potting soil for vegetables. Potting soil is mixed with peat moss, making it very lightweight. This means I can easily move containers if needed.
How to Plant Patio Peppers
When it comes to planting, the same rules apply no matter what garden setup you are using.
Soil
Fill your container with organic potting mix. If you have never worked with this mix before, it is very lightweight and fluffy. Fill the container being sure to leave room for the plant. As things settle you will want to add more soil as needed.
Seeds
If you want to use seeds, it is best to start them indoors so you can plant seedlings in the spring. Start seeds about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date where you live. Plant seed using peat pods and keep them under a grow light.
Seedlings
To plant seedlings, make a hole in the container larger than the plant’s root bulb. Using your hands, gently break up the roots and place the plant in the soil. Add soil around the plant and gently tamp it down with your hands. Water and add more soil if needed.
Sun
Your plants will need about 6-8 hours of sun a day. This is one of the advantages of growing in containers. If the area you have chosen does not get enough sun for growing, you can move the container to an area that does.
Water
Because of the container you will need to water more often than a traditional garden, about every 2-3 days.
Poke your finger into the soil about an inch or so deep to see if the soil is damp or dry, and water as needed.
Mulch
Mulch is not necessary when growing in containers, but it is helpful. Mulch will keep the moisture in longer so your roots can grow. You can add a layer of mulch around the base of your plant.
Support
Pepper plants can get loaded quickly, and for that reason, you will want to give them support. I like to use tomato cages mainly because we have so many lying around from years of gardening. You can also use a stake or a thin tree branch.
Things to Watch for With Patio Peppers
I find there are fewer issues health wise when growing in containers because each year there is a fresh batch of soil to grow in. However, there are a few things you will still want to watch out for.
#1. Under fed Plants
If you have pale leaves and little new growth on your plant, you may need to feed your peppers to get them back on track. You can use water-soluble plant food adding it every week or so.
#2. Blossom-end Rot
If you have a calcium deficiency, you will see a yellow or light green spot on the pepper that can turn black. You can add calcium like eggshells or bone meal.
#3. Overwatering
Peppers love water but too much can affect yields. The trick is to be consistent throughout. The best way is to make a watering routine for your containers, being sure to check the soil of each plant before watering.
I like to water once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and again in early evening if needed.
Harvesting Patio Peppers
The timing for harvesting when you grow in containers will be similar to a traditional garden and that timing will all depend on where you live. In Pennsylvania, our harvests usually begin in August lasting until September.
signs a pepper is ready to pick:
- Look for good color. Most peppers start out green and then turn colors as they ripen. Know the final desired color of what you are growing to determine when to pick.
- Jalapeños are ready when they are about 3-4 inches long and are a deep green.
- Hungarian wax peppers are ready to pick when they have a smooth, waxy look and are about 5 inches long.
- Chilis are different, meaning you will need to try one for taste to know if it is ready to pick. You want no bitterness and to have some heat.
Once you harvest your peppers, they will last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. You can place them in a paper bag to keep them from getting soft.
How to Preserve Peppers
I like to freeze peppers from the garden and this list will help you preserve peppers the best way. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands when working with a large amount of peppers.
- Wash and dry peppers.
- Remove any belmishes.
- Remove the stem and core.
- Dice to a size you routine use.
- Put diced peppers onto a cookie sheet.
- Par freeze for about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and place immedidately into freezer bags.
- label and freeze flat.
Frozen peppers will last 8-12 months in the freezer. Diced peppers can be used in omelets, soups, stir-fries, and any cooked recipe. Once thawed, frozen peppers get mushy, so they are not good to eat raw from the freezer.
Growing peppers on your porch is a great way to enjoy gardening with half the work. Start with a few varieties this year and add on more as you go.
Keep this guide on How to Grow Patio Pepper Plants bookmarked so you can refer to it any time you want to add a few containers, right outside your kitchen door.
