Few crops come in the variety of shapes, sizes and colours as peppers. From sweet bell peppers to fiery chilli peppers, they're even tastier when you grow them yourself.
Before you start growing your own, we've written this guide to help you. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, you'll find everything you need to know below.
Best conditions to grow peppers
Peppers need plenty of sunshine and warmth to flourish. This means that in the UK's cooler climate they tend to grow best in milder regions or during long, hot summers. So, it's best to grow them under cover.
If you don't have a conservatory or greenhouse in your garden, consider investing in a
polytunnel. They provide excellent conditions for growing peppers due to the polythene covering, which creates a warm environment with plenty of light. They're also cost-effective and come in various sizes, making it easy to find an option that suits your budget and space.
When to grow peppers
- Sowing: February to April
- Planting: May to June
- Harvesting: July to October
How to grow peppers from seeds
Sow pepper seeds in late winter or early spring when the last frost date is no more than two months away. Sow the seeds into pots or plug trays, spacing them at least 2cm apart across the surface, then water them using a fine spray.
After sowing, place the pots on a warm windowsill as they need 18–21°C to germinate. A propagator can make things easier or, alternatively, put clear plastic bags over the pots to speed up the process, securing them with rubber bands. Once the seedlings appear, remove the propagator or plastic bags, and keep the pots in bright light at a temperature of 16–18°C and regularly water them.
Move the seedlings into individual pots when the first true leaves appear, maintaining a high temperature to encourage them to grow. Transfer them when they're big enough to handle but still small, making sure to take care of their delicate stems.
How to plant peppers
Whether grown from seed or bought, young pepper plants need to be kept in the warmth indoors until they are ready to be planted out. In a heated polytunnel or greenhouse, peppers can be planted out in late April. For an unheated under cover growing space, aim for mid-May, and for planting outdoors, wait until late May.
How to grow peppers in pots
Plant your young peppers in pots that are at least 30cm wide, with around 6 litres of volume. Make sure they contain high-quality potting soil that's enriched with organic matter like compost, with the soil surface just shy of the rim to help prevent runoff when you water. Then move them into your
polytunnel so they're safely under cover.
How to grow peppers in the ground
Acclimatise your peppers by leaving them outdoors for gradually increasing periods over a couple of weeks. You can plant them out once the last expected frost date has passed.
Meanwhile, choose a spot with well-draining soil. Then dig moderate amounts of organic matter into the soil to make it more fertile and slightly acidic. Warm the soil with
cloches for a couple of weeks until the peppers are ready for planting.
Plant your peppers directly into the ground, setting the plants a minimum of 40cm apart. Then cover the plants with cloches to protect them from the wind.
Caring for pepper plants
Peppers don't need much attention once you've planted them out. However, there are still some things you must do to help your peppers grow to maturity.
- Support: Encourage each plant to grow upright by inserting a cane or stake next to the main stem and fastening them together with twine. Larger plants might need multiple canes.
- Pruning: Pinch out the top of the main stems when the plant reaches about 20cm tall. This encourages the plant to grow bushier rather than taller, so the heavy fruits do not topple and snap the stems.
- Watering: Water your pepper plants little and often. You may need to water them daily in hotter weather. If growing in pots, place them in trays to contain water that drains through. This way the plants can fully absorb water back up through the drainage holes.
- Feeding: Start feeding your pepper plants weekly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser as soon as the first flowers appear.
How long do peppers take to grow?
Pepper plants take from 60 to 90 days to grow from seed, depending on the variety. Using starter plants can reduce the time to harvest by a few weeks.
However, it's up to you when you decide to pick your peppers. You can pick them when they're still green or wait until they turn to their final colour – they get sweeter as they ripen.
Harvesting peppers
Simply cut your peppers off at the long green stalk with a sharp knife or a pair of pruning scissors.
Peppers are best eaten fresh, but you can store them for several days in the fridge. If you have more than you know what to do with, pickle them or use them in soups, sauces and chutneys, which you can freeze for later use.
Make growing peppers easy with Premier Polytunnels
Whichever way you choose to plant your peppers, our wide selection of high-quality
polytunnels and
cloches will help you achieve a plentiful harvest.
If you'd like to learn more about how our polytunnels and cloches could help your garden, get in touch with our experts by calling
01282 811250 or by emailing
info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk.