Pepper
Capsicum annuum. Peppers are members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, alongside tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Peppers are prized for their versatility and vibrant flavors, ranging from sweet and mild to spicy and hot. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, including bell peppers, jalapeños, habaneros, and serranos, each offering a unique taste and culinary appeal. Peppers have a naturally upright growth habit.
Starting Seeds
Pepper seeds germinate best in warm soil temperatures. The ideal range for germination is between 0°F (21°C) and 90°F (32°C). However, the optimal temperature is around 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C).
Direct sow only if you live in a warm climate. Otherwise start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks prior to your last frost date.
When to Plant Out
Peppers should be transplanted outdoors after the last expected frost date once the weather has warmed, and the soil temperatures consistently reach at least 50°F (10°C) or warmer.
Light
Full sunlight: at least 6-8 hours a day.
Space
Space plants 12″-24″ apart. Be sure to check the seed packet for specifics on your variety’s size.
Temperature
Parsley is a cool weather crop, with ideal daytime temperatures ranging between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C). While parsley plants can tolerate cooler nighttime temperatures, they perform best when nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F (10°C). Parsley is hardy to Zone 8, surviving down to 10°F (-12°C) for established plants, but protection from snow may be necessary.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist. Water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of diseases.
Pruning
Regular harvesting will encourage more growth. Remove flowers to refocus the plant’s energy into foliage and prevent bolting, which can turn parsley leaves bitter and signals the end of the plants life.
Harvesting
Use a pair of scissors or garden shears to snip off the desired amount of stems from the outside of the plant, leaving the inside stems to continue growing and bushing out.
Propagation
Parsley is commonly propagated from seeds. When saving seeds from parsley plants, it’s important to ensure that they have not been cross-pollinated. Different varieties of parsley will cross-pollinate each other.
Other Considerations
Parsley is suitable for container growing and can be grown indoors during winter for continuous harvests. If planted outside during the warmer months of the year, parsley may bolt. Although parsley is technically a biennial plant, which flowers and produces seed in its second year, parsley may bolt in the first year due to transplant shock, heat, or from conditions in the nursery prior to purchasing starter plants. Succession sowing will ensure a continuous harvest.