How cold can pepper plants tolerate depends on their growing stage? A mature pepper plant can grow in temperatures of a minimum of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above freezing.
On the other hand, the seeds of pepper will not germinate below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Young plants will also not thrive in temperatures below this marker; our following guide will help you find optimal temperatures for your pepper plants to grow.
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How Cold Can Pepper Plants Tolerate?
Pepper plants will tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit but may start to wilt and die in temperatures below that. The mature plants can thrive at 80 degrees Fahrenheit at maximum durability, while the best temperature is between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Protecting Pepper Plants From Cold Damage
Even though peppers are cold tolerant, they can only tolerate so much, and they will need to be covered in winters. Protecting your sweet or hot pepper plants during colder weather is different. Depending on the stage and intensity of the cold. Here are some ways to cover and protect your plants from cold:
– Choose the Right Variety
The first and most crucial step is to choose the right plant since some varieties can tolerate the cold weather better than others. There are around 4,000 varieties worldwide, some of which can grow in colder climates, and some don’t.
You will need to check with your local nursery or gardening center to see what varieties will work in your area. After choosing the suitable type, it is time to plant it and protect it from the upcoming frost season.
– Schedule The Sowing Time
Choosing the right time for sowing pepper seed is as important as selecting the correct variety. This is because if you sow the seeds too early, they might not germinate due to the cold soil temperature.
The ideal time to plant sweet and hot peppers outdoors is a week or two after your area’s last expected frost date; this way, the soil would have warmed up sufficiently for the seeds to germinate.
– Choose The Right Space for Peppers
Peppers like to be in full Sun. Out of 4,000 varieties of peppers, many of the varieties need full Sun to bear fruit. When you are planning to sow in your garden, choose a spot with suitable growing conditions like six to seven hours of direct sunlight, a well-drainage soil mix, and the companion plants.
Some of the companion plants of sweet and hot peppers are cucumbers, radishes, and carrots. These companion plants enhance the state and texture of peppers and keep them safe from cold or mealybug attacks.
– Build a Cold Frame
A cold frame is a box without a bottom placed over plants in soil or containers to protect them from the cold. A hard frame can be made of wood, metal, or plastic and should be big enough to fit all of your plants so that three sides are covered, and one side is left open for ventilation and airflow.
If you live in an area with significant temperature changes between night and day, it’s best to get a double-walled cold frame to help insulate your plants even more.
Caring for Pepper Plants in Cold
It is important to have the clear notion that peppers are easy to grow and maintain in the summer, nonetheless, it is also keen to keep in mind that when it comes to winter, growing peppers can get challenging.
However, it’s not entirely impossible. Peppers can still be grown in colder months, as long as you take a few precautions to protect them from the cold. Here are some ways you can care for our pepper plants during winters:
– Pinch Off Buds
Pinching flowers from your vegetable plants and killing their chances of bearing fruit can look criminal. However, this is necessary for the plant since it encourages more growth in later stages.
When the buds are removed, the plant can focus its energy on growing more foliage, branches, flowers, and eventually more vegetables. Nonetheless, if you let those first few flowers bear fruits, chances are, those are the only vegetables you will ever receive from your plant.
– Mulch
One of the tried and tested best ways to protect your plants from extreme climatic conditions is to mulch them. Mulching helps in two ways: It protects the plant’s roots from frost. Also, it provides insulation to the plants.
Nonetheless, You can use a straw, fallen leaves, or even shredded bark as a mulch. Make sure that the mulch is dry before putting it around your plant. Moist mulch can cause fungal infections and can end up harming the plant.
– Moderate Watering
Peppers are great for beginner gardeners because of how easy it is to grow them, but beginner gardeners often make the mistake of watering too much. This is way too bad for peppers since overwatering your pepper plant will kill it just as fast as not watering it at all.
When the temperature outside starts to drop, water your plants less frequently. In fact, during winters, you should only water your pepper plant when the topsoil is dry.
Pepper plants need about one to two inches of water per week. Nonetheless, be aware of the the amount of water a pepper plant needs depends on the climate and soil type. If the tips of leaves are yellowing, you are probably overwatering your plant. If you see tiny ants and mealybugs in the plant, it’s likely because of the wrong fertilizer.
– Use Fertilizer Wisely
One other mistake that overly enthusiastic beginner gardeners make is that they tend to over-fertilize their garden. Fertilizer is added during spring to enrich the soil and encourage new growth; however, once the temperature starts dropping, less and sometimes no fertilizer is needed.
If you must fertilize, do it sparingly and wash the leaves afterward so the chemicals won’t burn the plant.
– Prune The Whole Plant
Some beginner gardeners take pruning and butchering synonyms, but pruning is healthy. When your plants have set out fruit and you have picked the last harvest, it is time to prune your plant.
By doing so, the plant can survive during the winter. Another reason to prune the pepper plant for winters is that the leaves tend to harbor some pests, and you must remove all the old leaves. This step helps plants set our new growth in Spring.
– Bring The Plant Indoors
If you live in a region that sees snowfall and below-freezing outdoor temperatures, you can bring the potted pepper plants indoors before the temperature dips. This will prevent any damage to the plant and prolong its season. Alternatively, you can cover the outdoor plants with glass frames to create warmth and protect them from frost.
– Soil Requirements in the Cold
Peppers need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. The soil’s pH level should be between six and seven, which is the neutral zone. Peppers can also tolerate slightly alkaline soil conditions, but that pH level should not increase 8.
– Temperature for Planting Pepper Plants
The best time to plant is in the late Spring or early summer. This is when temperatures are ideal for growth since the soil is warm this time of the year, and because of less humid air, there are fewer chances of any fungal infections on leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Can I Start My Pepper Plants Indoors?
Yes, the peppers can quickly be germinated indoors with the help of heating pads, grow lights and a humidifier.
If you live in a colder region, it is recommended that you start your pepper seedlings indoors and harden your plants by exposing them to partial sunlight every day. Once the plants are set and the seedlings are at least 6 inches tall, transfer them outside in the garden bed or container.
– Can My Pepper Plant Recover From Frost And Cold Damage?
The paper plants can recover from frost and cold damage if the plant is young and the leaves are only slightly wilted, then there is a chance that it will recover once the temperatures warm up. However, if the plant has been damaged by frost or cold for several days, it is unlikely that it will survive.
– Can I Grow Peppers Plants Indoors During Winters?
The simplest answer to that is yes, but the more complex answer is that growing peppers indoors is a complicated process. You will need a greenhouse with adequate light, humidity and airflow.
If you don’t have a greenhouse, you cannot grow a pepper plant indoors. If you already have a mature plant, you can move it indoors during frost, but it will not fruit, and you will still have to prune it and keep it in a greenhouse.
– How Long Does it Take For a Pepper Plant to Bear Fruit?
Pepper plants are slow growers, and it takes approximately 60 to 90 days for a pepper plant to bear fruit. Although buds and flowers start appearing 30 days after you have planted the hot or sweet peppers, the fruits can still take 30 to 60 more days to grow. In short, it is important to have a planting schedule in mind before you begin.
Conclusion
After reading this article you are now fully aware how pepper plants can tolerate cold and above-freezing temperatures. Here is what we have learned about managing temperatures of the hot or bell peppers:
- The best time to plant peppers is when the temperatures are between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pepper plants are very hardy and can withstand a light frost with temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not survive if exposed to freezing temperatures for an extended period.
- When watering pepper plants, it is important to remember that too much or too little water can both be detrimental to the plant.
- It is important to cover your pepper plants if a frost is expected and to bring them indoors if the temperatures are expected to dip below freezing for an extended period.
- A healthy pepper plant has better chances of survival in cold temperatures. For this one needs to take care of its soil, water, fertilizer, and light requirements too.
Pepper plants are easy to grow and are loved among gardeners because of their different shapes, varieties, sizes, colors, and tastes. The best part of increasing pepper plants is that they can be directly in-ground and in containers.
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