Jalapeño peppers need to be planted 20 inches apart to allow enough room for growth. Unless you know how far apart to plant jalapeño peppers, your chances of reaping a bountiful harvest are very slim.
Jalapeño pepper plants germinate slowly at first, so it helps to start growing them indoors for two to three months before you replant them outside. Keep the soil constantly moist but make sure not to put too much water and place your plants in a warm, sunny spot.
The space between your jalapeño pepper plants largely depends on where you plant them. It’s important to leave the right amount of space because your plants need room for their leaves and roots to grow. With that said, here’s how much space your jalapeño plants need:
Garden beds
The best time to plant your seedlings on raised garden beds is when the weather gets warmer and the temperatures rise to 65 F. Your jalapeño seedlings should be planted at least 19 inches apart and the rows should be 25 to 35 inches away from each other.
When your peppers grow to at least one to two inches high, make sure to stake your plants because the weight of the peppers can break the stem.
Container gardening
If you don’t have much space for a garden bed, container gardening is the next best thing. It’s best to plant Jalapeño peppers in an 8- to 12-inch pot to allow the roots to grow. For larger containers, plant the seedlings at least one foot apart and six inches away from the sides.
Make sure to pay close attention to the moisture level because container gardens often dry out quicker than garden beds. The soil needs to be moist, but not soggy.
When Should You Plant Jalapeño Peppers?
You can immediately plant your jalapeño pepper plants after the last frost. Just like other peppers, jalapeño plants thrive best under direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. Try placing your pepper plants where they can get enough sun.
Jalapeño pepper plants like fine sandy loam soil that’s loosely packed. Don’t forget to poke a finer-sized hole in the soil to act as drainage. You can add four inches of mulch between your rows to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing.
Water your jalapeño plants every third day and add organic fertilizer. After three to four months, your jalapeño peppers will be ready for harvest. Ripe jalapeños are usually three inches long and develop a deep green color. The jalapeño’s color changes from bright green to deep green, and then to red. Green jalapeños are milder, while darker ones have a sweet/hot flavor.
What Should You Plant Next To Jalapeños?
There are different types of plants you can plant with jalapeño peppers. For example, planting basil near your pepper patch will improve the flavor of your harvest.
If you want to improve the health of your jalapeño pepper plants, you can plant flowers like marigold and chamomile. These flowers can repel pests like eelworms and nematodes that can destroy your plants. If you’re thinking about planting herbs near your peppers, you can try planting chives, marjoram, oregano, dill, parsley, and coriander.
Additionally, you can plant other vegetables including carrots, eggplants, cucumbers, asparagus, and other peppers near your jalapeño pepper patch. Companion planting provides numerous benefits for your garden. The right plants can improve the flavor, repel harmful insects, and save garden space.
What Shouldn’t You Plant Near Your Jalapeños?
Some of the plants you should not plant near your peppers include beans, peas, and everything from the brassica family (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, etc.). In case you’re wondering, these plants will do more harm to your jalapeño pepper patch than good. Some of these plants are heavy feeders of soil minerals and they could negatively affect the flavor of your jalapeños.
Do Tomatoes And Jalapeños Grow Well Together?
Although tomatoes and peppers grow well together in the same garden bed, you shouldn’t plant both of them right after each other in the same bed. It’s best to rotate them to another spot in the next planting season. It’s great to plant tomatoes near peppers since it can help provide shade to the soil, protecting your peppers from the blazing heat.
Why Should You Invest In A Greenhouse?
Investing in a greenhouse means enjoying a longer growing season while protecting your plants from harsh weather conditions, harmful insects, and animals. While most greenhouses are a considerable investment, they’re well worth it.
Not a lot of homeowners/gardeners think about investing in a greenhouse. Most of them automatically assume that greenhouses are pricey. If you’re still on the fence, have a closer look at the best reasons why you should consider buying a greenhouse:
Protection from harsh weather
Heavy rain, snow, and the excessive heat can be detrimental to your plants. Placing them inside a greenhouse protects them from harsh weather conditions. If your plants are unprotected, they can easily wither and die.
A greenhouse’s translucent cover diffuses the sunlight while providing enough ventilation throughout the space. Even if it’s pouring outside, you can rest easy knowing that your plants are safe and protected.
Longer growing season
Having a greenhouse allows you to grow different types of plants and extend their respective growing seasons. Greenhouses let you control the climate, so if you live in colder regions, you can create a warm environment in your greenhouse so you can grow tropical plants. If you live in the tropics, you can create a cool greenhouse environment to grow cool-weather crops.
Repel harmful insects and animals
Harmful pests and critters can destroy your plants. Rabbits, deer, raccoons, and other animals can be cute, but they will munch on your plants if you leave them unattended. Placing your plants in a greenhouse protects them from insects and animals.
Planting Your Jalapeño Peppers In A Greenhouse
Now that you know how far apart to plant jalapeños, its companion plants, and its non-companion plants, the next step is to plant them in a greenhouse! While buying a greenhouse requires an initial investment, the money you spend upfront will be worth it over time. If you’re looking for affordable and high-quality greenhouses, Krostrade offers practical and easy-to-assemble greenhouses for homeowners and gardeners.