In which month do we start growing pepper seedlings?

The best time to plant peppers depends on the climatic conditions of the planting area, as peppers prefer warm environments. Generally speaking, spring and early summer are the best planting periods for peppers, approximately from March to July. Let’s learn together in which month to start growing pepper seedlings?

In which month do we start growing pepper seedlings?

The best time to grow pepper seedlings is usually between mid-February and early March, which is a more suitable time period. Pepper seedlings grown at this time can be transplanted outdoors between late April and early May. If you are growing peppers indoors, the seedling raising time can be more flexible and can be done at any time as needed. When determining the time for seedling cultivation, the local climate and weather conditions need to be considered, because too low temperatures will affect the germination speed of pepper seeds and make them susceptible to attacks by pests and diseases.

Precautions for raising pepper seedlings

1. Seed treatment

Seed soaking: Soaking pepper seeds in warm water for about 12-24 hours will help promote seed germination. Soak the seeds in 55℃ warm water, stir continuously with a wooden stick, and after the water temperature drops, wash with clean water and wipe dry; then soak in 300 times diluted 50% carbendazim for 10-15 minutes to kill internal pathogens; then soak the seeds in 3% trisodium phosphate for 20 minutes to kill pathogens such as seed gray mold, anthracnose, early blight, wilt, and viruses carried on the surface of pepper seeds; finally, soak in water at room temperature for 8-10 hours before germination and sowing.

Seed drying: Spread the pepper seeds in the sun for 2-3 hours to kill some of the pathogens on the seeds.

Germination: After soaking the seeds, filter and dry them, wrap them with a wet towel, place them in a constant temperature box at about 30℃, and maintain a certain humidity for germination. Generally, turn them over every 6 hours or so, and take them out and wash them with clean water every 24 hours. When the pepper seeds turn white, stop washing to avoid damaging the seedlings. You can sow them when 2/3 of the seeds have germinated.

2. Seedbed preparation

Choose a plot of land that is sheltered from the wind, facing the sun, with strong water retention and loose and fertile soil. Avoid planting Solanaceae crops in the previous crop. 15 days before sowing, the soil in the seedbed should be deeply turned over, and appropriate amounts of farmyard manure and calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer can be spread to improve soil fertility. The soil in the seedbed should be disinfected and weeds should be controlled with 800 times diluted 50% carbendazim, 800 times diluted dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and sethoxydim.

3. Sowing and covering soil

After the seedbed is leveled, water it thoroughly one day before sowing. Before sowing, first rake the bed surface flat and loosen it, and then sow the seeds on the bed surface at a certain distance; when sowing, you can also stir the seeds with fine soil or fine sand to separate the seeds and distribute them more evenly on the bed surface. After sowing, cover with a layer of disinfected organic matter, water with a watering can, and lay a ground film to increase the ground temperature and humidity.

4. Seedling management

The humidity in the greenhouse should be maintained within 7 days after sowing to promote root growth, and the temperature in the greenhouse should be maintained at 20-30℃. When seedlings are found to emerge, the film should be removed in time. After the seedlings have grown, the temperature can be lowered appropriately to maintain 20-25℃. During the day, you should open the greenhouse film to maintain ventilation and avoid high temperature and humidity. 10-15 days before planting peppers, the greenhouse film should be removed to harden the seedlings.

Generally speaking, the peppers will bloom and begin to bear fruit about a month after the seedlings are planted, and the entire harvesting period lasts about 2 to 3 months. Farmers can adjust the seedling raising time appropriately according to the specific climatic conditions and weather forecast in their area to ensure the good growth and development of peppers.