#29. Growing Your Own Pepper Plants
Growing peppers in your garden is actually a lot of fun because today, there are so many varieties and colors of peppers you can grow. Gone are the days when gardeners only focused on green peppers.
Growing bell peppers as an addition to a vegetable garden is a popular choice because of the ease with which the plants can be grown, even in less than ideal climates. The best hot pepper varieties come from China, Thailand and Mexico. You can choose cayenne, serrano jalapeno or habanero varieties for growing. What you need to check is whether the variety is suitable for growing in the area where you live.
Peppers mature within 70 to 90 days; you can check the seed packet. The plants need to be kept warm – 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal warmth for the plants, but they will adjust to lower temperatures. Basically plant your peppers in full sun and you will have a nice spicy bunch for your harvest.
It is recommended that you start your pepper plants indoors, it makes growing the plants a lot easier. Once the seeds start to sprout, keep the plants well watered, as these are real thirsty plants especially during the early growth period. Soil drainage must be very good or else your plants will develop root rot.
Prepare the soil for planting by adding compost and fertilizer to the soil. Pepper plants need a pH value of around 6.5 to begin with. If you are into crop rotation and you should ideally be, you can plant your peppers in an existing well nourished planting area. This will help the transplanted plants to take root and grow healthily to bear fruit.
Soil pH values will need to be increased or decreased as the plants grow based on the flavor of the peppers you prefer. For example, higher pH value or acidity level will give the peppers a sharper, hotter flavor. You will need to fertilize at least two, if not three times a year.
Pepper plants are not cold lovers and the plants are at great risk from frost and pest damage. You can use plastic bags to cover pepper plants and keep them protected against frost and pests.
The spider mite and the aphid are the mortal enemies of the pepper plants. Borers are also a threat to the plants. Using an organic insecticide will help you eliminate the problem.
Peppers are generally ready to be picked as soon as they are large enough. Cut them off cleanly; don't pull them off the plant.
Leaving the peppers on the plant will cause them to change color and also enhance flavor.
#30. Guide to Growing Beetroot
Beets are an annual vegetable and the leaves provide an excellent source of calcium, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and sodium. Beets can be grown from seeds or plantings, a