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How to Grow Jalapeno Pepper Plants

Learn how to grow, care for, and harvest jalapeno pepper plants at home!
Course: Vegetables
Cuisine: Peppers
Keyword: how to grow, jalapenos, peppers, vegetables,

Instructions

  • For best results, start seeds indoors. You can find jalapeno pepper seeds at your local nursery or online.
  • Grow your jalapeno peppers indoors and transplant them outdoors after 8-12 weeks.
  • While indoors, keep the jalapeno seedlings moist, but do not over water them. Jalapeno pepper seeds germinate within 10-14 days.
  • Keep them warm and in a sunny place such as a a windowsill that's facing the South side.
  • Once all danger of spring frost has passed, you may transplant your seedlings outdoors in the garden or in a pot.
  • Choose a sunny spot as peppers love the sun and grow best when they're warm.
  • Mix in mushroom compost or any other organic matter into your potting soil. Jalapeno pepper plants like good, fertile soil, and will not grow well if the soil isn't of good quality.
  • Space each plant about 14-16 inches apart and 2-3 feet apart in between rows.
  • The plants will eventually grow to about 3 feet in height!
  • Jalapenos love water, so make sure to keep the soil moist at all times. Keep in mind though, that you also don't want to over water as you may inundate the plant which can cause root rot.
  • Water every other day or every third day depending on the weather.
  • Give your jalapeno plant a good fertilizer and keep it free of any weeds.
  • In 3 to 4 months, your jalapeno peppers should be ripe and ready to pick!
  • You'll know they're ready for harvest once they reach 4-6 inches in height, they're firm, and have a bright green sheen.
  • You can also leave them on the plant until they turn red – this will make them hotter, and turn them into a type of chili pepper.