Peppers are such a colorful vegetable ranging from a sweet mild taste to a hot peppery. They are great to add to just about any dish. There are thousands of pepper varieties. We have success planting bell peppers, jalepenos, poblano, and banana peppers.
Phoenix Gardening Steps
- Are peppers a cool or warm season vegetable? This determines the best time of year to plant.
- What do peppers need to grow?
- What grows well near peppers and what doesn’t?
- Do your peppers look unhealthy? What could this mean?
- Harvesting peppers- When is the ideal time to pick peppers?
How to Plant & Grow Peppers in Phoenix
Peppers are a warm-season vegetable. They prefer a soil temperature of 75 degrees fahrenheit. Transplant peppers in February, March, and July in your Phoenix garden. If you stagger planting them you can grow peppers just about year round.
Companion Plants for Peppers
Peppers are part of the Solanaceae family, so they like plants in their family such as tomato plants. Basil, carrots, oregano, cucumber, eggplants, and squash are all great companion plants for peppers. Do not plant peppers near beans, broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage.
How to Care For Peppers
Light Requirements: Peppers prefer full sun or about 6 -8 hours of sun a day, however they can tolerate partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Prefers heavier, well-drained soil, but peppers can also grow well in amended clay or sandy soils as well. Peppers prefer slightly acidic pH. The soil pH range of 6-7 is ideal.
Water Requirements: Peppers like consistent moisture.
When to Harvest Peppers in Phoenix
Peppers take 90-120 days from the day of planting until harvest day. If transplanted in February they would be ready to harvest by May. Peppers planted in July would be ready to harvest by October.
Depending on the variety of pepper at maturity the plants can have a spread of at least 12 inches and a height maturity up to 48 inches. Fruit is about 3-5 inches.
