It would be best to leave a little bit of stem attached to top of each pod to keep it fresh for a longer time. You can pick these peppers with your hands or use a pair of pruners to cut them off the branch. Typically, jalapenos develop tiny cracks on their shoulders – the part at the top that curves towards the stem – once they are ripe and ready to be snipped off. All you need to do is examine the pods hanging from the plant and look for the peppers with a deep green hue. Harvesting jalapeno peppers is rather easy. It is also a good practice to plant members of the nightshade family away from each other to prevent the spread of certain infections and diseases. While basil can enhance the taste of your peppers, marigold and chamomile can protect the plant from pests such as eelworms and nematodes. When it comes to jalapenos, most gardeners prefer planting them next to basil, marigold, and chamomile. Companion Plantingĭid you know that companion planting can improve the growth and flavor of your produce? However, since they are not heavy feeders, an application of a balanced fertilizer or compost would be enough to keep the plants happy and healthy throughout the season. Jalapeno peppers grow well in fertile soil rich with organic matter. In addition, trim off any additional growth that sprouts around the base of the plant to ensure the foliage and the fruits receive proper nourishment and energy. Though jalapeno plants don’t require frequent pruning, you should consider removing the blossoms from young plants as early blooms may stunt their growth. Meanwhile, if you are growing jalapenos outdoors, misting them frequently and keeping the soil moist would be sufficient to keep the plants hydrated. If you live in a relatively drier climate, consider investing in a humidifier for your indoor plants. These plants do well in moderately humid environments with 50% to 70% humidity levels. If the temperature drops below 55 degrees or rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the flowers may begin to drop, thus diminishing fruiting. At nighttime, these plants prefer slightly lower temperatures ranging between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Jalapeno peppers thrive in warm temperatures ranging between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. While most jalapeno plants don’t need an additional support structure to stay upright, some taller varieties may require stakes for support once they begin bearing fruits and become heavy. Moreover, consider leaving around two to three of space between the rows for optimal growth. If you plan to grow jalapeno peppers in your backyard, make sure to space each plant about 14 to 16 inches away from the other. Their vibrant foliage protects the pods from the harsh sun rays, so planting the peppers in a shaded location can severely limit their exposure to the sun and result in the plant becoming spindly. Therefore, you should consider planting them in a spot that receives at least five to six hours of bright light almost every day. So you can grow them on a window sill in your kitchen or turn them into the main attraction of your backyard vegetable garden. It would provide the seedlings with ample time to grow in a controlled environment before you move them outdoors.Īs for the placement, jalapeno plants grow well in containers and ground alike. Moreover, consider starting the seeds about ten weeks before the last frost date.
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