Which month is best to plant peppers?

Chili pepper occupies an extremely important position in China's food culture. It has a wide range of uses. Not only is it used as a condiment to add flavor to cooking, it is also often used to make various sauces and snacks, enriching the diversity and layers of dishes. Chili peppers are grown in many places in our country. Let’s learn together which month is the best time to plant chili peppers?

Which month is best to plant peppers?

The sowing time for peppers is usually chosen in spring or early summer. This period, between March and July, is the ideal period for pepper growth. However, the specific sowing time needs to be flexibly adjusted based on the climate characteristics of the year. For example, in areas with a warm climate such as Guangdong, peppers can actually be grown all year round due to the high temperatures throughout the year. This climatic condition provides a continuously suitable growing environment for peppers, making pepper cultivation more flexible and convenient locally.

Key points of pepper cultivation and management

1. Planting spacing

The planting spacing of peppers should be arranged appropriately to ensure adequate growing space and light. The recommended planting density is 3,000 planting points per acre, with 1 to 2 pepper seedlings placed in each planting point. The row spacing should be kept between 50 and 55 cm, while the plant spacing should be between 25 and 30 cm. Under conditions where the soil is fertile and there is sufficient water and nutrients, the planting density can be appropriately increased to increase yield. On the contrary, under conditions of poor soil, insufficient water and nutrients, appropriately reducing planting density may be more conducive to increasing yields.

2. Suitable planting time

The pepper seedlings should be planted when the soil temperature reaches 13 to 15 degrees Celsius. Ideal planting seedlings should meet the following conditions: the seedling raising period in spring is 70 to 90 days, and in summer it is 25 to 30 days, and the first inflorescence has begun to show buds; the seedlings should have 5 to 6 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, early-maturing varieties should have 6 to 8 leaves, and medium- and late-maturing varieties should have 10 to 12 leaves; the seedlings should be healthy and free of diseases and pests, and the leaves should be intact; the seedling height is about 15 to 18 cm; the cotyledon to the base is about 2 cm, and the stem thickness is 0.4 to 0.5 cm; the leaves should be dark green, thick and shiny; the stem nodes and petioles should be short and strong; the taproot should be thick, with well-developed fibrous roots, and there should be more white new roots.

3. Fertilization during the growth period

Peppers have different fertilizer requirements at different growth stages. It is more sensitive to nitrogen and phosphorus in the seedling stage, the demand for phosphorus increases in the flowering stage, the demand for potassium rises after fruit setting, and it is more sensitive to calcium and magnesium in the vigorous fruiting period. Therefore, fertilization strategies should be adjusted according to these needs. It is not advisable to apply fertilizer from planting to flowering. After the peppers are established and formed, the first topdressing should be carried out, applying 8 to 10 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer per mu. The second topdressing should be carried out when entering the vigorous fruiting period, applying 15 to 20 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer or 8 to 15 kg of urea with 10 to 15 kg of potassium sulfate and 20 to 25 kg of superphosphate per mu. After the first harvest, carry out the third topdressing, applying 8 to 10 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer or high-potassium water-soluble fertilizer per mu.

4. Reasonable irrigation

Peppers need to be watered thoroughly when planted, and then the water should be controlled moderately until flowering to keep the soil slightly moist. If the soil is dry during the initial flowering period, water it appropriately to increase humidity and ensure smooth pollination. In the early stage of fruit setting, when the fruit begins to swell, water it for the first time to promote fruit development. During the peak fruit-bearing period, the frequency of watering should be appropriately increased according to soil moisture and weather conditions. It is generally recommended to water once every 7 to 10 days. Watering should be stopped 7 days before the fruit matures to improve fruit quality and yield.

The above is an introduction to the time and key points of pepper planting and cultivation management. Planting peppers can actually be very simple, as long as you master the method. When choosing the sowing time, you should consider the local environment.