Every year, I face the same challenge with my peppers. They grow just fine once they’re established, but they’re always slow to get going. By the time I start getting a decent harvest, it’s already August, and there’s not much growing season left in my area. This year, I decided to take a different approach and get my green pepper seedlings started well before Christmas.
On December 21st, I planted my pepper seeds and placed them on a heat mat in a warm, dark area. Within just eight days, on December 29th, the seedlings had sprouted. I immediately transferred them to a grow light while keeping them on the heat mat to maintain consistent warmth. This early start is part of a bigger strategy this year. I’m combining several techniques to boost my pepper production, including using biologically active compost and composted manure for better fertilization and plant growth. My goal is simple: earlier harvests and significantly more peppers than I’ve gotten in previous years.
If you’re someone who struggles with getting peppers started early enough, here’s my advice: remember that peppers are more like perennial plants than many other garden vegetables. They take a long time to get established, so the sooner you can get them started, the better your results will be. Don’t wait until spring is around the corner. Give them that extra time they need, and you might be surprised at the difference it makes in your harvest.