Beginner Gardening: Pepper Problems, 1 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Do you have ANY space you could do container gardening? Reason I ask is because I'm growing a crop of Emerald Giant and King of the North Bells, and Largo Purple Peppers (hot) for the 1st time. I'm strictly a container gardener (eBuckets, EBs and 2 small raised beds).

I started seedlings in one-gallon milk jugs in January (a total mistake as I didn't think about the fact they would germinate and start to grow in the middle of our quirky winter!), and ended up keeping them inside under my fluorescent lights (something I had hoped to avoid because I wanted to Winter Sow ALL my seedlings outside and not have to deal with lights...another story).

Anyway, I got almost 100% germination, and the seedlings looked great. I potted up once to 16 oz. Red Solo cups and planted them deep to right above the cotyledons (read up on this and it worked GREAT!). Once they were potted up, I started feeding them every 7 days with Miracle Grow and Epsom Salts, bottom watering in the drip trays.
Under fluorescents from 6p to 7am daily.

They've only been on 2 hardening off field trips outside, 'cause our weather keeps fluctuating, which is why they're still inside. But, they're going outside this weekend....Which brings me back to whether you have room for any containers.

I'm planting all my peppers out in eBuckets, which are SELF-WATERING systems. Simply put, there's a built-in reservoir and an overturned colander wick involved in the design. The design allows the plant to regulate how much water it wants to take up. And, as long as the reservoir stays filled, that plant will be happy. And I've learned that a well-watered and well-fed (they can EAT!) bell pepper is a happy, happy, happy, bell pepper...

Here's a pic I took on their 2nd field trip about 2-3 weeks ago. They've grown to almost 2x what you see, and have started to put on buds, which is why they need to go out this weekend!

Based on your love of peppers, I'd say to with this no-fault, low-maintenance system and use your raised beds for something less demanding than your peppers..

Linda

Here's the design instruction sheet. Get your parts together and you can put one together in 10 minutes. Hope this helps!