Growing peppers is one of the most satisfying and rewarding things you can do, and you can reap many benefits from planting them in your garden. But before you get your hands dirty, you should know what nutrients your plants need to thrive for months. There are a few tips you can easily implement to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need. Find out how you should fertilize your peppers here!
How often to fertilize peppers
Many casual gardeners fertilize whenever they think about it. This is not ideal as they may over- or under-fertilize their plants. To get the most out of pepper plants, remember when you last fertilized and stick to a schedule.
As soon as your plants have grown their first real leaves, you can apply light fertilization. For most pepper varieties, fertilization should begin about 1-2 weeks after the seeds germinate. The first fertilization should be light (at most half strength, depending on the strength of the fertilizer), sincethe small plantsdon't grow very fast. However, the fertilizer contributes significantly to the formation of healthy roots and strong stems and leaves early on.
If your seeds were planted in a nutrient-rich medium, you should wait to fertilize until they are established in their final planting location. Compost, potting soil and other soils often contain all the nutrients peppers need, so additional fertilization is not necessary.
Over- and under-fertilization of pepper plants
Aside from initial fertilization (in the first 3-5 weeks of growth), which should be no more than ¼-½ of normal strength, just follow the packaging guidelines. Most fertilizers are administered weekly or biweekly.
Do not overfertilize because pepper plants need a consistent supply of nutrients, not an overabundance of nutrients all at once. Some fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil before planting. Just try to keep a consistent fertilizing schedule and not overdo it. Your pepper plants will thank you. If you take too muchAdminister fertilizer, your vegetable plants will show you. Brown spots form on the leaves, mainly on the edge of the leaf. This is because the nutrients cannot penetrate further into the tissue and the ends burn.
A notice:If you are planting in a medium that already contains nutrients (potting soil, etc.), you should wait to fertilize until the plants are fully grown.
Fertilize peppers with tomato fertilizers - the most important nutrients
The three most important nutrients you need for your pepper plants are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the most important element because it helps regulate photosynthesis, which in turn promotes leaf production and growth. Since pepper plants would look a bit strange without leaves, nitrogen helps them develop healthy leaves and peppers.
- Phosphor
Phosphorus enables plants to use solar energy. This second key nutrient allows the pepper plant to absorb energy from the sun, which it needs to develop strong roots and sturdy peppers.
- Potassium
The final key nutrient is potassium, which plays a crucial role in water and nutrient transport and enables smooth photosynthesis. In other words, the elements ensure that water and other nutrients flow through the plant.
These macronutrients are sometimes referred to as the big three in the pepper world because they play a crucial role in creating a healthy plant. Nutrients can also be abbreviated as NPK, making these elements easy to remember when looking for fertilizers.
Secondary nutrients for your pepper plant
While the three primary nutrients are the most important, there are several secondary nutrients or trace elements that are also crucial for ideal pepper growth. Calcium and magnesium are very important for healthy cell development and green foliage.
Soil pH
Although nutrients ensure healthy and strong vegetable plants, the pH of the soil is arguably even more important. Most pepper plants thrive best at a pH between 5.8 and 6.8, i.e. in slightly acidic soil. If you suspect your soil is alkaline, you can have a soil test done.
Fertilize peppers organically with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds have many uses, but one of the best is as a garden fertilizer.Lots of plantssuch as blueberries, tomatoes and peppers grow best in acidic soil. Recycle your coffee grounds to acidify your soil. There are several ways to do this: Either you sprinkle the coffee grounds over the surface of the soil, or you make a garden coffee that you pour onto your garden: Soak up to six cups of used coffee grounds for up to a week to make garden coffee, and then use it to water your acid-loving plants.
Natural fertilizers for your plant
You can also add the peppersCompost from your gardenor well-rotted manure to fertilize naturally.
Also dilute nettle manure with water in a ratio of 1:10 and water your pepper plants with the solution.
Note the following
When applying granular fertilizer to peppers, make sure that the granules do not come into contact with the plants. This could cause burns or other adverse consequences to the plant. Instead, distribute the granular fertilizer in a circle around the plants andwater them thoroughly.
It is not recommended to spray a water-soluble fertilizer on the plants. Diseases thrive on moist leaves, twigs, flowers and fruit. It's best to focus your efforts on the base of the plant.
