GGWM Pepper Seed Starting Prep

Hey everyone! I'm posting a quick checklist of things a person would need to start their pepper seeds indoors. Peppers are not the hardest thing to grow but they do require a bit patience and attention to detail if you have never started pepper seeds (or any seeds) indoors before.

The Items You ABSOLUTELY Need:

Seed Starting Soil

• You want seed starting soil or a light soil mix/medium so the roots can grow easily. Do not use bags labeled Garden Soil or Top Soil. Potting soil, if sifted, can work in a pinch.

Growing Container(s)

• This can be peat pots, styrofoam cups, plastic cups, plastic growing trays or old water bottles/water jugs. Just make sure to poke drainage holes at the bottom of your containers and clean/disinfect them by washing with warm, soapy water. Washing your containers out is especially important if you're reusing containers from a previous planting or if using a repurposed food container.

Grow Lights

• These can be fluorescent bulbs or LED.

• Try to shoot for full spectrum or daylight bulbs but any good light will work.

Heat Source

• Seeds need heat, oxygen and water to germinate. Light comes in after germination. Pepper seeds like heat ranging from 80 to 90 degrees for germination BUT temps in the 70s work just as well. This can be achieved by using a heating pad/heat mat or a warm room where the heat is concentrated.

• Keep in mind: lower temperature germination is possible but it will take longer and possibly lower the germination rate.

Water Source/Watering Tools

• Distilled water is great for starting seeds indoors because it has lower to no amounts of the chemicals found in tap water. Tap water will work too though, so don't worry.

• Spray bottles are great for keeping the soil moist and applying light foliar fertilizer during the later stages of growth.

• A designated water bottle works well too.

• Seedlings need gentle watering. Pouring water straight onto a seedling can cause it to shift around and damage delicate growing roots. Safe methods are bottom watering, spray bottles or slowly pouring water down the inner edges of the growing container.

Scissors/Pruning Shears

• Part of the reason i'm starting early is because I will be 'topping' (that is pruning) my plants. Anytime you prune, a plant uses its energy to heal the cut, expand its roots and produce new branches. This delays flowering and flowers equal peppers.

The above items are the basics you need to get started. Below are some items that I would call 'Helpful Extras':

• Aluminum Foil: Aluminum foil is great for concentrating and reflecting grow lights back onto your seedlings. This is a great solution for people who have limited lighting options. The foil can be used to line the bottom and sides of a growing place as well as over the top of the grow lights or grow space. Just be cautious of heat spots: areas that have concentrated heat. If you see your seedlings withering or with white patches on their leaves, it could mean that the area the seedling is in has too much concentrated light. Also be mindful of foil trapping heat near/around your lights. You don't want to create a fire hazard so leave space at the top to allow heat to vent.

• Automatic Timer: Timers are a great way to simplify the growing process. Timers can be used to automate the grow lights, fans and if you're fancy, a watering system.

• Fan: Plants need air to circulate to help the stems grow tough/healthy and to ward of diseases due to overly wet soil. If using a fan, do not place the fan directly onto your seedlings. Have it in the nearby area facing away from them. Air will still circulate and stimulate the stems without damaging them.

• Heating Pad: This was mentioned under heating. A heating pad can produce a steady source of bottom heat for your seedlings to germinate faster. Keep it on low, high heat will damage the seeds.

• Labels/Markers and Pens: If you're growing more than one variety, it's a good practice to label each item. A journal or spreadsheet is also helpful for you to track your plant's progress.

• Liquid Fertilizer: This will come in handy after your plants set their true leaves. Since the plants are still young its best to dilute your fertilizer, read the instructions on the container.

And last but not least....

Think long-term: Space and Zone's Climate

Seedlings start off small but they grow up and take up space, especially as their leaves grow out. If you decide to prune your peppers, they begin to become bushier and that takes up even more space. So plan ahead:

• Pick your space based on the 'mature size' of your plants. Ideally you'll transplant your peppers before they are fully mature but use the mature size as a guide on how much space to give your plants as they grow. Determining how much actual growing space you have can help you avoid issues such as overcrowding and disease transfer.

• Make sure your space can handle having those peppers there until its time to transplant your plants. Try to avoid an area that you'll want to use for at least 3 1/2 months. This area has to be dedicated to plant growth. With that being said...

• Know your home's 'zone'. Growth/Hardiness Zones are based on last/first frost date and annual extreme temps within a 5 to 10 degree range. A quick google search for growing zone map will pull up a map of your country's zones. Within your zone, your city will have a first/last frost date. Shoot to transplant your peppers after that date.

Whew, that's a lot but hopefully you'll be ready to tackle growing peppers in December! Please check back periodically for my planting updates!