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#42921 May 12th, 2007 at 10:18 AM
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I am so excited I finally got them planted outside. And this year they have no excuse not to produce lots of pretty big tasty red bell peppers. They have lots of compost and lots of sun and lots of room. So I'm expecting good things from them this year. One question. How do I get them to be as bushy as everyone elses pictures of peppers plants are?


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tkhooper #43082 May 12th, 2007 at 06:14 PM
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peppers grow naturally into bushy or shrubby plants...

Is your area two weeks past it last frost date?

Feed seedlings in 5-6 weeks...

They require frequent watering and do best if mulched...

herbalyn #43108 May 12th, 2007 at 06:40 PM
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Good luck on your peppers. I love the color of pepper plants they're such a deep green color. Mine are still in the green house, but doing well.


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Rosepetal #43211 May 13th, 2007 at 03:35 AM
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will grass clippings do for the mulch? I don't have any money for mulch?

I water by hand everyday it doesn't rain. That patch will get about 1/2 gallon. Will that be enough? What kind of food do you recommend?


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tkhooper #43536 May 13th, 2007 at 09:54 PM
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Grass is the only mulch I use on my veggie and herb beds. I did a 2" layer today. Start with a 2" layer. The next mowing add 2" more. Maintain no more than a 4" layer. 2-3" works for my soil. Since you use compost 2" may do for you. Make sure the grass has not been treated with anything within the past two weeks of using. Mow grass and spread it immediately. Keep mulch 2" away from seedling stems. Grass will turn a color similar to straw. Reapply as needed thru the season.

Move mulch away from the drip line of the pepper plant every three days and check soil for moisture. If it's moist an inch or two down don't water and replace mulch. Can you find a few buckets to collect rain water for use on the veggie bed?

Avoid overfertilizing peppers. Use fertilizer with a higher middle number-phosphorus- since peppers (and tomatoes) bloom to set fruit. Any veggie that sets a bloom needs more phosphorus than nitrogen. If you use a higher first number- nitrogen- you get all leaves and few blooms. Its best to feed peppers at planting time and then 5-6 weeks later. If you have a late maturing variety wait 6 weeks.

I use Garden Tone. It has a 4-6-6 ratio.

herbalyn #43567 May 14th, 2007 at 04:39 AM
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Thanks for the info. I'll do as you suggested.


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tkhooper #44318 May 14th, 2007 at 05:19 PM
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Hey thanks for the info', glad to read this will be needing it too.


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