Paprika is a popular vegetable from the nightshade family, characterized by many culinary and health properties. Tasty, multi-colored pepper fruits are a real vitamin bomb, which is why they should be present in our menu as often as possible. Although it is quite a demanding plant, some types of pepper can be successfully grown in native climatic conditions. How to grow peppers in your own garden Which types of peppers will work in amateur cultivation?
Red pepper
Peppers are one of the most valuable sources of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Not everyone knows that the content of vitamin C in paprika is almost four times higher than in lemon! In addition, it is a wealth of mineral salts, thiamine and riboflavin. In addition to the aforementioned advantages affecting our health, it is also extremely tasty, aromatic and effective, making it an excellent addition to various types of dishes. Different colored types of pepper can be eaten raw, but not only, because roasted, canned or cooked has an equally large group of supporters. Ground is an excellent addition to meat dishes, while its spicier varieties perfectly enhance the taste of sauces and complement numerous spice mixes.
It is worth noting that thermally treated pepper retains almost all nutritional values.
What type of pepper to choose? Popular pepper varieties
Cultivation of peppers is not the easiest, and the plant itself is quite capricious and demanding. However, a few varieties will successfully work in our climate.
To make it easier to classify the different types of peppers, we will divide them into sweet and hot varieties. All of these are suitable for cultivation in Poland, in a tunnel or in the ground.
Sweet pepper varieties
green pepper
Paprika Nocturne Nocturne is a medium-early variety with sweet, triangular fruits taking on an interesting color from dark purple to dark cherry. It grows to a maximum height of 80 cm, so it is recommended to stake the shoots. No cutting required. It can be grown in the ground or tunnels.
Oleńka pepper A variety with sweet, juicy fruits and a spherical, flattened shape. It is a rich source of vitamin C, and its fruits change their color from dark green to dark red during ripening. Olenka is a variety that stands out for its large growth and strong branching ability, so it is worth pruning the side shoots that grow too much from time to time. It can be grown both in unheated tunnels and in the ground.
Telimena pepper Perfect for cultivation under foil. It is characterized by sweet, yellow fruits with juicy flesh. Telimena is a variety that produces large, trapezoidal specimens weighing up to 100 grams. The plant shows very strong growth, so pruning and the use of supports are necessary to protect the bush.
Ożarowska pepper Another variety that prefers cultivation in tunnels. If the air temperature is high enough, it can also be grown in the ground. It is distinguished by large red fruits, strong growth and compact habit. Requires pruning and staking.
Cyclone pepper It is one of the earlier varieties with conical, pointed and sharp-tasting dark red fruits. Its great advantage is its high resistance to changing climate, so it can be grown in the ground without any major obstacles.
Typhoon pepper A medium-hot variety with large, dark red fruits and a cylindrical shape. For field cultivation or under cover.
Cultivation and care of peppers
One of the most important features of pepper is its low resistance to frost, cold and wind, which is why it is recommended to grow it only from seedlings. You can prepare it yourself or buy good quality, ready-made seedlings in a proven garden store.
Peppers should be planted in the ground no earlier than mid-May, when the risk of sudden cooling is much lower. The plant prefers sheltered and warm places, preferably with a southern exposure. To provide it with even better thermal conditions, it is recommended to mulch the substrate with non-woven fabric, compost or straw, which will additionally maintain the proper level of moisture and protect the crop from weeds. The soil should be fertile, humus and well-cultivated, with a slightly acidic or neutral pH. Pepper shows a high demand for calcium and magnesium, hence the recommendation to use an appropriate mineral fertilizer with a properly balanced composition, containing the necessary amounts of nutrients.
During the period of flowering and fruit formation, the plant should be watered regularly with water at a temperature of min. 20ºC. Lack of moisture will be manifested by shedding flowers, and later also small and shapeless fruits. After acclimatization and adoption of the seedlings, pinch their tops, which will translate into better branching of the plant and more lush growth. In the case of tall varieties, you can not forget about staking, which will additionally protect our plants from damage.
Peppers are harvested after about 12-14 weeks of cultivation. In the case of spicy varieties, the given time is extended to approx. 18 weeks, but regardless of the type of pepper, it should be harvested before the first frost. Failure to meet the harvest date may result in freezing of the fruit, which will not be suitable for consumption. We always pick peppers one at a time and store them for no longer than 2 weeks at a temperature not exceeding 14ºC.
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