Avid gardeners know how important it is to choose the right type of vegetable, in the right season, and at the right time.
If you’ve ever passed up growing hot peppers because you live in a cooler climate, take heart. It turns out you don’t have to live in the sweltering heat to grow peppers. While cooler temperatures may not always work in your favor, it’s not impossible to grow hot peppers.
You just have to think ahead.
Peppers are sometimes picky when it comes to the temperature and some of them take a long time to mature. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it makes it hard to protect them through a long growing season. If the temperature is a concern, go for hot peppers that require a shorter growing season. This includes hot peppers like cayenne, jalapeno and poblano. You’re looking for an adaptable variety. For instance, the long red cayenne can be potted and brought inside during the winter season. Sometimes the hottest peppers still need hotter temperatures though, so you may be looking at growing some relatively mild varieties of peppers in a cooler climate.
If you’re starting from seed, you can start out growing the peppers inside, then later transplant them outside. Look for a warmer spot in your house or consider using a heat mat. Be sure and watch the soil moisture, though. The soil needs to be able to breathe, otherwise you’ll get a layer of mold. Once outside, consider using a season extender like a hoop house. You can also try mulch. That’s a good way to warm up the soil and retain the heat. Black plastic and flat rocks around pepper plants in the ground can also help provide some warmth. Of course, it all else fails you can just pick up some hot pepper products and enjoy the taste without all the extra work.
