Planning Our Pepper Paradise - Our Process - Pepper Geek

Welcome back to PepperGeek! In today's video, we are going to walk you through our process for creating the perfect pepper garden. Whether you have raised beds, garden plots, or potted plants, we have some tips and tricks to help you plan out your pepper paradise.

Getting Started with Planning

When it comes to planning your garden layout, it's best to keep it simple. We often use pen and paper or even Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. We find that these options allow for easy editing and changes as we go. With Google Sheets, we can start planning in the winter on our computers and access it on our phones once spring arrives.

To make the planning process even easier, we have created simple raised bed templates and a Peppers Only raised bed planner. You can download them for free and use them as a physical reference while you plan. The raised bed templates include a square foot grid, which is especially helpful for spacing your plants.

Finding the Perfect Spot

Now that you have your garden plan ready, it's time to find the perfect spot for your peppers. Consider the amount of sunlight, drainage, and accessibility to water sources. Each situation is different, so make sure you choose a location that suits the needs of your plants.

If you have raised beds near your house, irrigating with a hose might be sufficient. However, if you have a larger garden plot, like us, you might need to employ alternative methods. For example, we collect rainwater in a barrel to ensure we have enough water for our plants.

Deciding Where the Peppers Go

Now that you have your garden space ready, it's time to decide where your peppers will go. If you have a garden plot, organizing your plants by type (sweet peppers and hot peppers) can make it easier to manage.

In our raised beds, we like to intercrop different crops to increase garden diversity. For instance, we have a little salsa garden in one corner, with cilantro, basil, peppers, tomatoes, and onions all growing together. However, in our larger garden plot, we prefer to keep things simple to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Consider the care each variety requires and plant them accordingly. If there are certain varieties that need special attention, plant them closer to home where you can keep a closer eye on them.

Peppers also thrive in pots, especially smaller or ornamental varieties. This allows for mobility and customization in your garden plan. You can easily move them around the yard or keep them closer to your home for easy access.

Positioning Your Peppers in the Garden

When positioning your peppers, keep in mind their height and the height of other crops you are growing. Most pepper plants do best when spaced about two feet apart to ensure proper air circulation and easy access for harvesting. However, if space is limited, you can plant them closer together, but remember to leave enough room to walk between them.

To create walkways and prevent weeds from cropping up, simply throw down some cardboard or use straw. These options work well and save you from spending money on expensive mulches.

The Power of Companion Planting

Consider companion planting to maximize the benefits of your garden. Planting flowers and other crops alongside your peppers can help attract beneficial insects and promote pollination. Some easy-to-grow companion plants include sweet alyssum, zinnias, and cosmos. These plants not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also support a healthy ecosystem.

Rotating Crops and Running Experiments

If you have multiple raised beds or a large garden area, you can rotate your crops each season to prevent disease and pests. While this isn't as crucial in smaller garden settings, it's still a helpful practice to consider.

Lastly, don't be afraid to run experiments with your plants! Planning ahead allows you to set aside designated areas for experiments like pruning techniques or grow light versus windowsill comparisons. These experiments can help you learn and improve your gardening skills.

Remember, gardening is an ongoing journey, and it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Feel free to share your garden plans and tips with us in the comments. We are always excited to hear what fellow pepper enthusiasts are up to.

Thanks for joining us at PepperGeek, and we'll see you next time!