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Growing Banana Peppers

Growing banana peppers is really easy, as they are one of the most forgiving varieties.  Still, they do need some care.  Let’s take a look at growing banana peppers in the garden.

Type of Banana Peppers

Sweet Banana PepperThese versatile veggies go by several names, but they can be divided into two main types:  sweet banana peppers and hot banana peppers.

The most common banana pepper is called Hungarian, and it’s also available both ways.  So that’s something to keep in mind when you are perusing the seeds!

The hot variety of the banana pepper reaches around 3,500 to 4,000 Scoville Units — about on par with jalapenos.

Growing Banana Peppers in Containers

Sure, you can grow these peppers in containers.  For a bountiful harvest, I suggest 5-gallon containers.  However, with a good potting soil, plenty of fertilizer, water and sunshine, they can also be grown successfully in 3-gallon pots.

Here’s more detailed information about container pepper growing.

Peppers in the Garden

Peppers, including the bananas, have similar requirements to their relative the tomato.  That includes a fertilizer that has more phosphorus (the middle number of the fertilizer content) than nitrogen.  While a lot of nitrogen will grow you large, lush plants, you won’t get many peppers off it.

Peppers like rich, well-drained soil.  I’ve found that they also appreciate “fluffy” soil, which doesn’t compact easily, but which holds enough water to keep the plant happy.  I do this by incorporating compost, sphagnum moss and perlite in the planting hole and surrounding soil.

Peppers like warm weather, especially the hot varieties.  They don’t appreciate a windy location, so if you do get really breezy on a regular basis, see about constructing a wind break of sorts.

What About Eating?

You can eat the banana peppers when they are immature (green), ripe (red) or anywhere in between!

Here’s a hint:  a sweet pepper will grow sweeter the riper it gets.  Similarly, a hot banana pepper will turn up the heat, the riper it is.

Enjoy growing (and eating) your banana peppers!


Pepper Growth Requirements

Want to try your hand at growing peppers?  It’s really not hard!

Whether your choice is bell, sweet or hot, you’ll find the guidelines for sun and warmth below.

Growing Peppers

Like most fruits and vegetables, peppers require at least 6 hours or direct sunlight a day. Peppers also require warm weather — frost will kill them. The ideal temperatures for most (not all!) peppers is the 80’s to 90’s during the day, with nights in the 60’s and 70’s. (Temperatures in degrees Farenheit.)

And you know something strange?  When it comes to hot (chile) peppers, the hotter the climate the better!  Well, maybe that’s not strange…

Peppers will grow and set fruit in warmer weather, as well as in cooler weather; they just won’t be quite as productive. Keep your local temperatures in mind when selecting pepper varieties. For example, a grower in the cool Pacific Northwest would be better off with early peppers (those that mature in 70 days or less), as well as peppers that are bred for cooler weather.

Live in a hot climate?  As mentioned before, peppers, and especially chile peppers, like it hot!  Just make sure that the peppers don’t get too much direct sunlight in the afternoons, or they might just shrivel up on you.  Morning sun and afternoon light shade in the South is just the ticket.

So, keep your local climate in mind when selecting pepper varieties. Oh, and an adequate water supply is essential for peppers to produce fruits; an average of an inch of water per week is considered optimal, but if you live in a dry climate, you might want to provide a bit more.