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Gardening Tip of the Day
Jalapenos are an easy to grow vegetable. They can be grown in pots, raised beds, or directly in the garden.
Jalapenos grow best when the soil is warm. Wait until the soil temperature is 65 degrees F. and nighttime temperatures remain at 60 F. or higher.
Jalapenos need 8 to 10 hours of sunshine to produce fruit so plant them where they will receive the sunshine they require.
If daytime temperatures are over 95 degrees F. it is best to shade jalapeno plants with a shade cloth.
Jalapenos generally don’t need staking, but if they get tall enough to fall over in a storm, stakes or tomato cages can be used to protect the plants. Plan ahead and place the stakes or cages when the plants are small so roots do not have to be disturbed by placing them in when the plants are large.
Do not plant jalapenos near beans, peas, cabbage, and other plants of the brassica family.
To keep the jalapeno plant producing all summer, harvest the jalapenos when they are green and 3 to 4 inches long. If the jalapenos are left to turn red the plant will put all its energy into maturing the jalapenos and will stop producing more peppers. Red jalapenos are hotter than green jalapenos.
Some gardeners place broken eggshells in the hole with the jalapeno plant to ensure that the plants receive enough calcium. The effectiveness of this can be disputed, but eggshell “tea” can be helpful immediately. A Los Angeles Arboretum horticulturist and educator recommends soaking dried eggshells in hot water and letting them steep for 30 minutes or until cool. Strain the eggshells out and use the “tea” to water the jalapeno plants.
Coffee also contains calcium and magnesium so disposing of old coffee into the garden can prove more useful than pouring it down the drain.
Banana peels contain potassium and can be cut up and buried in the jalapeno garden bed. The banana peels can also be soaked in water for a banana water tea.
Compost can be mixed into the bed before planting. For continued use throughout the growing season, compost tea, made by soaking compost in water, can be used to water the plants.
A layer of mulch will help keep the soil evenly moist and help with weed control.
Some gardeners claim that adding sulfur to the soil produces hotter jalapenos. An old practice was to place unlit matches in the hole when planting the jalapeno plants.
When harvesting cut the jalapenos from the plant. Pulling on them can injure the plant.
For more jalapeno information:
Easy Jalapeno Jam Recipe
Easy Strawberry Jalapeno Tart Recipe
Fun Facts About Jalapenos
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2023
