Peppers - Growing Tips and Health Benefits

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	Pepper Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet....Albert Einstein	Featured 5-Star Retailer:
Detailed Vegetable Profiles Bean Broccoli Carrot Lettuce Onion Pea Pumpkin Radish Tomato Site Map Home Annuals Architectural Elements Backyard Habitat Biennials Bonsai Bulbs Cactus/Xeriscaping Companions Composting Container Gardening Crafts Garden Ornamentation Gargoyles Greenhouses Ground Covers Herbs Insects/Diseases Landscaping Organics Perennials Ponds Propagation Recipes Roses Seeds Shade Gardens Shrubs/Hedges Tools Trees Vegetables Vines Weeds Wildflowers Wildlife Shop Gardening	Peppers are warm weather vegetables that can be finicky if not given proper growing conditions. They take about 2 1/2 months to mature, and need even temperatures and uniform moisture. There are hundreds of pepper varieties, but they can be classified into two categories - sweet and hot. Sweet pepper varieties include the well-known California Wonder, and hot peppers include the cayennes and other fiery types. Wait to plant peppers outdoors until the nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees. Seed can be started indoors about six weeks prior to the last frost date, or seedlings can be bought locally. Provide a sunny spot and well amended soil for good drainage and even moisture. Use lots of mulch to keep the weeds down and the moisture in. Take care not to plant peppers where tomatoes or eggplant grew in the previous year to prevent disease. Do not provide too much fertilizer with nitrogen, or the plants will produce leaves, but no fruits. Many of the pepper varieties make excellent container plants. To harvest peppers, wait until they have reached their full color for the best taste. If you plan to dry the peppers, pull the whole plant and hang upside down in a dry, hot location. Peppers are packed with vitamin C and are a good choice for the healthful vegetable garden. Medicinal Properties: For information on the medicinal benefits of Peppers, please see Cayenne in the Herbs section.	THE COOK’S GARDEN offers the best of the best in gourmet, premium vegetables from heirloom tomatoes to delicate buttery lettuces – so the fresh tastes and flavors from the garden can go directly to the table. We sell to consumers online and through our catalog – products that are proven winners in taste and easy to grow in the kitchen garden.
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