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Growing Pepperoncini Pickling Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing peppers from seed is warmth! These tender perennials do not do well in cold soils or shade. It is best to start the seeds indoors about 6 weeks before the final spring frost. This will give the peppers a head start that they desperately need in most climates. Use a seed starting tray of choice with a fine germination mix such as minute soil coco coir. Fill the tray and moisten it. Place the seeds about a quarter inch deep, cover them with soil, and gently water them in. Peppers prefer 6.0-6.8 pH soil; it should be well-drained and rich in nutrients.

Use a warm spot or a grow mat to keep the soil at about 70 F. This warmth, paired with consistent moisture, should allow the seeds to germinate in 7-21 days. Once the seedlings pop through the soil, ensure that they receive full sun conditions. Use grow lights or a sunny windowsill to provide a minimum of 8 hours of full sun. Once the seedlings have reached 2-3” tall and have true leaves, thin them out to ensure they will not compete with each other.

As they grow, pinch off any flowers that might appear; we want to save those for the garden! The seedlings need to focus on growing big and strong before fruiting. At this point, optionally apply a low-strength fertilizer as per the package directions. While the seedlings are growing indoors, this is also a great time to choose a spot outdoors for them to grow and adequately prepare the soil. Mix in well-rotted compost and get a soil test done to ensure there are proper nutrients available for the peppers to be successful. Peppers need phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and nitrogen.

Once the plants are at least 6 weeks old and have developed good roots and leaves, you can begin to transition them to the outdoors slowly. Gradually leave them outside for more time each day while continuing to bring them inside if the temperatures dip below 50 F. Over a week or two, they should be ready for the garden.

Transplant them into the garden by spacing them 12-18 inches apart in rows about 3 feet apart. Provide stakes to support the plants. This variety particularly benefits from staking as they begin to fruit because they all tend to come on at once, making the plant top-heavy.

Continue to fertilize the plants as they grow. Dark-colored mulch or black plastic can help to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and increase the temperature around the plants. Pruning is usually not required for this variety.

Harvesting Pepperoncini Pickling Hybrid Peppers

These pepperoncini will be ready to harvest around 75 days after transplantation. They can be harvested when green, yellow, or red and have slight flavor and texture differences at each stage of ripeness. Use shears or a knife to remove the peppers from the plant carefully. If picked early, they can continue to ripen indoors at room temperature. Store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to halt ripening before eating or processing.

About Pepperoncini Pickling Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds

This hybrid pepperoncini variety was bred to have one main harvest of peppers, perfect for pickling a big batch all at once. It is a determinate bush, with all the fruits being fairly uniform and easy to harvest.

This high-yielding plant produces abundant fruit with mild heat levels, 100-500 Scoville. The bushy, determinate habit makes it perfect for growing in garden plots, raised beds, containers, and greenhouses.

With a mild, tangy flavor, this is one of the best for pickling. Not just for timing, but for flavor too!

While peppers love heat and hate the cold, too hot is bad too. Their development will slow or stop if temperatures exceed 90 F for too long.

Although generally grown as an annual, peppers are tender perennials and can achieve a second harvest in some climates (zones 10 and 11).

Tips From Our Gardeners

"If you cannot have your own compost pile at home, you can purchase worm castings to fertilize your plants. It has many of the same benefits and none of the mess!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Scoville Heat Scale

Pepperoncini Pickling Hybrid Pepper Seeds Per Package:

• 300mg - Packet - Approximately 40 Seeds
• .25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,000 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,000 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 16,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 64,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Pepperoncini Pickling Hybrid Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.