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The Bell Peppers you eat can have great benifits but you have to learn how to grow your own. The future will have people growing plants indoors and that will be a good thing. When you learn how easy this is you will have your kids growing healthy foods. www.naturallivingideas.com
Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors will save you money and give you a headstart on the growing season. This is particularly useful if you live in an area with a short growing season. Seeds should be started about 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost date.
- Choose high-quality organic seeds for best results.
- Fill small starter pots with organic potting soil. I like the little biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground.
- Place three seeds in each pot and cover with a light layer of soil.
- Place in a warm area with plenty of light – pepper seeds will germinate at 70 degrees and warmer.
- Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- Once the seedlings begin to grow, thin out the weakest one and let the other two grow.
- Fourteen days before transplanting, begin to harden off your plants. To do this water the plants first and place them outdoors in a sheltered spot. If you have a cold frame or unheated greenhouse this works great. Be sure to harden off on days when the temperature is steady. Leave your plants outside for two hours on the first day, four hours on the second day with more direct sun. Gradually increase the amount of time the plants spend outdoors in direct sunlight. Do this over two weeks time. You can leave the plants outside all night only if there is no danger of frost.
- Add organic fertilizer or aged compost to your garden soil one week before transplanting pepper plants.
- Transplant the seedlings outdoors after all threat of frost has passed. The soil must be at least 65 degrees or the plants will not make it. If you need to warm up your soil, put a layer of black plastic over it for about two weeks before planting. Place plants 18 to 24 inches apart but keep the plants that shared a pot close so they will touch.
- Place three matchsticks in the hole with each plant and add one teaspoon of organic fertilizer. This will give the plants sulfur which helps them grow.
- Once peppers get their true leaves, fertilize weekly until fruit appears.
- Water peppers regularly but do not saturate.
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