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How To Grow Your Own Peppers and Vegetables In Containers

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Rethinking the Purpose Of My Website

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​This post is a little scary to write because it's very different than the ​how-to-grow ​content that I usually publish. I'm taking Grow Hot Peppers in a new direction. As I was brainstorming an updated mission statement for this website, I thought:

​

​Why not write a blog post about this experience and start working in public?

​(​I​ hope this is of interest to you. Otherwise, no hard feelings... simply click ​the menu items up top to get back to the regularly scheduled programming.) 🙂

​​I was actually introduced to the concept of "working in public" by ConvertKit (an email marketing service). The idea is that you share what's going on behind the scenes, so to speak, to allow people to get to know you and/or your business better.

I also thought ​it would be good to write about this ​process because:

  • You may be going through something similar, and it can be helpful to read about what others are doing.
  • It helps me get clearer on ​the updated purpose of this site, which helps me serve ​you all in the best way possible.

​​(​​​And, just a side note...​ ​I'm working on an in-depth tutorial that describes my experience switching ​to ConvertKit. It will be published under the "Goals" menu when it's ready... again, just working in public.) 😉

​So Why Not Just Stick To Peppers?

​That's a fair question given the name of this site! The simple fact is that I want to be more helpful to others by sharing what I'm doing. I've learned some new ​skills, and I know they will be valuable to you too.

​(I have a habit of documenting new tasks ​anyway.  ​I'll do this especially if I find something particularly challenging, and I can't find any information ​to help me get through my first attempt.)​

If you read my origin story here, ​you'll see I created Grow Hot Peppers ​when I had problems growing my first chile plants. ​

​Since then, I've made significant improvements to my ​health. Growing my own foods had a lot to do with that.​ Therefore, I want to expand the offerings on this site to match ​this new knowledge.

​Don't worry. I'll still include plenty of chile content. It just won't be the sole focus anymore. 🙂

chillies

​​Figuring Out the ​Updated Website Mission Statement

Here's ​how I'm thinking about this...

Who Is My Audience?

​​One of my entrepreneur heroes, Pat Flynn at Smart Passive Income, recommends ​knowing who your audience is so you ​know ​​what they like and what they need.

​I gave it some thought and ​​started with this:

​​​My audience is people who have made the connection that eating nutritious foods gives them better mind and body performance. They want to grow their own foods to be self sufficient in this goal.

​(Maybe you can relate and you're growing peppers for the health benefits?)​​

image of a piece of paper with the word "gardening" written on it

​So What​ Are the Struggles?

Well, a lot of us are ​BUSY! ​​If you're going to school, running a company, working all day, etc., you might not have the time to dig up your yard, build a raised bed or perform other traditional methods of growing food. ​

image of a piece of paper with the word "busy" on it

​You might be a BEGINNER too and in the first stages of ​understanding how to grow something.​ Again, ​it takes time to learn a new skill and go through the ups and downs of figuring it all out.

image of a piece of paper with the word "beginner" written on it

Other Obstacles
​You may ​choose to grow your own food because you like being self sufficient and your homegrown produce is as local as it gets. ​​

​BUT...

​What if you need to grow your own food because you're determined to eat healthy and don't really have another choice? ​You may be gardening by ​necessity.

For example:

  • ​Maybe you live in an area that doesn't have easy access to fresh foods (without chemicals), CSA programs and whatnot. (I'm in that position now,​ and ​that's one of the many reasons I started looking for solutions.)
  • ​​Maybe you do have better access, but you want something specific that isn't available to you just yet​.
  • Maybe organic produce is just too expensive, and the quality ​of the food you can get doesn't match the high price.

How Am I Going To Solve These Problems?

​I'll do this by describing the ways that are working well for me...

​​​​​By ​teaching alternative methods for growing ​nutritionally-dense foods in the ​quickest, easiest ways possible.

​(This type of self sufficiency will allow you to bypass the various growing struggles ​we identified.)

​For example, ​new topics will include how to:

  • Determine what to grow to produce food ​quickly and easily to get the biggest nutritional bang for your buck
  • ​​Perform alternative growing methods, such as sprouting seeds ​in a jar and growing microgreens, to produce extremely nutritious food
  • Use ​g​rowing ​systems (both indoor and outdoor) that offer ​automated technology ​in which variables, such as water, nutrients and pH, are already taken care of​. ​(Basically, "set it and forget it" systems.)
EarthBox growing pepper plants

I also want to share the tools and resources that are helping me reach my wellness goals​. For instance:

  • ​The automated growing setups that I mentioned
  • ​Kitchen gear ​that helps you make your own highly-nutritious foods, such as bone broth, without all the ​work. (​You'll save money too because these foods are expensive!)
  • ​Online retailers and services that ​support ​healthy living
  • ​Information, such as websites and books, that are teaching me a lot about ​enhancing mind/body performance

​Ultimately, I want to give you information and tools that ​​can support your personal wellness goals too!

​​Putting It All Together

​​​With all of that in mind, here's what I have now:

​​​​My audience is people who have made the connection that eating nutritious foods gives them better mind and body performance. ​They want to grow their own foods to be self sufficient in this goal, but ​their busy lives make it difficult ​to learn this new skill and implement traditional gardening methods​. ​To solve this problem, I’m going to ​describe alternative methods of growing nutrient-dense foods, ​and identify tools and resources that help achieve personal wellness goals.

​In One Sentence:

​Beginner gardening for busy people.

​So that's where we're at. The wording may change slightly as I do more work, but the overall theme is going to be the same.

​​Next Steps for This Site

​Here's what I'll be working on in the coming weeks:

  • ​Writing and publishing new content.
  • Updating the messaging and elements on this site to reflect this new mission statement.
  • ​Working through some online courses that will help me ​​improve Grow Hot Peppers. ​
wooden sign reading "next step" against mountain background

In Conclusion

I'm really excited to take things in a new direction. I love that I can address the "gardening" or "​grow your own food" niche in a way that I believe ​will really help people.

​And, I just want to mention that I'm not an expert in gardening or health... ​I've just experienced a lot of positive changes in my life and I like to share what I learn. (Actually, I love to share!) 🙂

​I hope ​you find the information useful.

Thanks for sticking with me as I worked ​on the purpose of this website. ​Please feel free to leave your thoughts down below!

Resources Mentioned In This Post

  • ConvertKit (​email marketing service)
    Disclosure: I am an affiliate of ConvertKit, which means I earn a commission if you make a purchase using my link. My decision to recommend this company is based on my own positive experience ​and not due to any commission ​I make.
  • Smart Passive Income (learn how to build an online business)

​Wellness ​Websites

​​So many of us have goals we're working towards, and a well-functioning body and mind is essential in that pursuit. If you're ​interested improving mind/body performance like me, here are some inform​ative websites ​that ​have really helped me on my journey:

Visiting the Basque Country (Euskal Herria)

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I feel incredibly blessed. (From what I hear, that's ​a good thing. 🙂)

​So what am I so happy about? I recently returned from a trip to Euskal Herria, which is the name of the Basque Country.

A little ​information...

​​The Basque Country​ is located in the western Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, along the Atlantic Coast. ​

​Though​ you won't see the "Basque Country" listed on any map, it's home to the ancient, indigenous culture of the Basque people. The Basque language, ​Euskera, ​is the oldest living language ​spoken in Europe today. 

Back to the trip...

​Part of my ​ethnicity is Basque, so when a group of my relatives wanted to visit the country, my partner and I ​​were happy to join them.​ 

​​This was always a trip I had wanted to make. Growing up, I wasn't as exposed to the culture as some of my cousins were, but I was always taught to be proud of this heritage. ​

There is so much to this beautiful land and people (more than I ​can possibly describe in this post), ​so I hope you'll still enjoy this brief​ visit with me...​

​(And, if you'd like to learn more about the Basques in general, please see the links I've included at the bottom.)

​Our trip began when we landed in Bilbao -- the largest city in the Basque Country. ​I didn't get many pictures here, but I did get a shot of Jeff Koons' "Puppy" sculpture outside the famous Guggenheim Museum.

Jeff Koons "Puppy" Outside Guggenheim Museum

Jeff Koons "Puppy" Outside Guggenheim Museum

​We centered our ​stay in San Sebastián ("Donostia" in Basque), which is on the Spanish side of the Basque Country. We ​slept in a small, hotel-like accommodation known as a "Pensión" in the city's beautiful "Parte Vieja" or "Old Town​."

Here's one of the views from the Pensión:

San Sebastian Old Town view

​​This gorgeous scene was just a few steps away from our accommodation:

San Sebastian docked boats

​​We also took a day trip to the French side of the Basque Country:

Mountain flowers between Spanish Basque and French Basque sides

​​The buildings of the French Basque side ​typically have a striking white/red color palette:

French Basque buildings
French Basque home

​My partner and I LOVE good food, and we let it be known ​that we were going to eat our way through the country. ​​:)

Fortunately, delicious food is a huge part of t​he Basque culture...

Basque Txuleta steak

​The picture above shows the first meal we ate called "Txuleta" or "Txuleton" steak. These large rib steaks come from aged cows, which can be anywhere between the ages of 8 and 18 years old. ​The idea is that the flavor intensifies as the animal ages.

​In one word: DELICIOUS!

​Food is serious business in the Basque Country. In fact, San Sebasti​án has 16 Michelin stars alone!

I didn't make reservations in time to try one of those restaurants out​. ​Luckily, you don't need to eat in a 5-star restaurant to enjoy amazing food. 

plate of Basque pintxos

​We enjoyed many sorts of foods from "Pintxos" bars. Pintxos, are the Basque version of "tapas" or small, shareable plates. These foods can be anything from skewered ​guindilla peppers with olives to "Pulpo a la Plancha" (grilled octopus​).

pulpo dish

(I'd love to say I took the pintxos pictures, but I just ate before I even thought to snap some photos. Believe me, th​e food is that good and I just dug in. Ha ha!)

​And, something touched me very deeply ​during my travels...

The Basque people, by default, eat seasonally and their food is always locally sourced. ​I loved walking by countless small shops featuring beautiful produce right by the front door.​ ​​

We even picked a random restaurant to eat at one night, and the waiter told me about the fish they ​had pulled out of the ocean that day. What a privilege to have access to food like that!

​Personally, I've ​seen incredible changes in my health and mind as a result of more mindful eating. ​

​But, it's not always easy to feed your body that way​. (Especially, if you live in an area like I do where eating fresh is really difficult!) 

​That's why I get such a pleasure out of showing people how to grow peppers, which effectively teaches you how to grow other foods too​. You'll be seeing more information on becoming self sufficient in this way in the next couple of weeks. (In case, that's of interest to you too!) 🙂

Thank you for taking this journey with me. If you'd like to learn more about the Basque culture, here are some links:

And, if you'd like to experience the Basque Country authentically, GoBasque.com is an outstanding​ boutique travel agency! They are wonderful people who make sure you have a great time. 🙂

Have you traveled to this magical land? ​I'd love to read your comments below!

Are Stunted Pepper Plants An Issue? Here’s What These Seasoned Gardeners Have To Say

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​The frustration of ​stunted pepper plants... I'm sure at some point, ​you might ​experience what it's like to have your chillies grow at a snail's pace. ​(I sure have!)

​Readers often ask me ​the following question:

Q: ​What ​​Do You Do When Your Pepper Plants Grow Really Slow After Germination?

​You'll get your seeds to sprout, but sometimes they just seem stuck after that. Or, maybe things were fine ​while growing them indoors, but they started to s​tall once ​they went outside. ​

So how do you get them going again?

To give you the best possible information, I asked ​other ​gardeners ​for their advice about ​slow growing ​pepper plants. ​I thought it would be helpful to read a variety of responses so you know why this could be happening, and get ideas on what to do to fix the situation. ​

​"There can be a few reasons, some of the most common are: Low temperatures can cause slow growth, peppers are tropical plants, and will grow at their full potential when kept above 80F.
​

​Lack of nutrition can often be the case, especially when growing in starts, as store bought potting soil is sterile and doesn't tend to contain much of any nutrients.
​

If growing in starts as well, they can become rootbound quite quickly, which will stunt your plant, using larger pots and transplanting earlier will solve that one pretty quickly!"
​

​-- Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company​


"You mean after they first come up? Patience is required. As long as they have light and are kept moist, they will grow.

Peppers don’t like to go in cold soil. Planting too early results in slower growth. Peppers that go in cold soil become stunted. I don’t plant until June myself. I have a snapping turtle in my pond and when she trudges up the hill to lay her eggs, I know the soil is warm enough to plant. I usually see her the first week of June. The plants that go into the ground then out produce anything planted in early May."


​-- ​The Chile Woman


​"​All of our seeds are started under lights and on heating mats. We use the old style bulbs which give off heat, not the newer bulbs. When lights are on for 16 hours a day, soil temps are 80-90, when lights are off for 8 hours soil temps drop to the 70s. We cover with a plastic film until germination but remove every day for an hour or so to allow fresh air in.

We have never had plants not grow after germination! We keep them under lights for 3 weeks, although they come off of the mats after 10 days or as soon as all seeds have sprouted. Lights are within inches of the plants.

If we are having germination issues, we may crank up the heating mats and/or lower the lights closer to the plants. Heat = growth.

After the plants have the first 2 sets of leaves, the cotyledons, and we see the true leaf starting to push out, we begin a weak fish emulsion feeding. We use a very dilute seaweed solution from day one.

Plants will stunt if they are being kept too wet or too cold. Allow the soil surface to dry before more moisture is added. Roots grow looking for moisture. If they are soaking in it, they don't grow.

So our best guess is that the plants just need more heat. Especially at night. And when big enough, food.

Wishing everyone a bountiful season, your friends at ChilePlants."

-- ​Cross Country Nurseries

​"​​There are a lot of factors that can cause a pepper plant to fail to thrive. Here are my top 3:
1: overwatering
2: insufficient lighting
3: ambient temperatures are too cold."

-- ​​Jeff C. @ Hot Pepper Growing Society Facebook group

​My Answer:

​In my experience, ​stunted pepper plants are usually due to inappropriate water levels, temperature issues and not enough nutrition.


I often give a weak feeding of fish emulsion after the first set of true leaves. (Here's a sample fertilization schedule for your reference.)

​You ​should also check the pH level of your soil ​for the correct range, (​about 5.8 to 6.8). A proper pH helps plants successfully uptake nutrients.

​Are Stunted Pepper Plants An Issue? Here's What These Seasoned Gardeners Have To Say

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​In addition, I'm also including a couple of related links on The Hot Pepper forum:

​Many thanks to the contributors of this article!

Here's to a bountiful pepper harvest. Happy growing! 🙂

​​​CONTINUE READING THE GROWING PEPPERS SERIES:
​

And for those of you looking for more information on how to take care of your pepper plants… Make sure to check out The Chile Plant Hospital. You’ll discover some of the most common issues that affect chillies, and get the exact remedies you need to fix each problem fast. I’m always here to answer questions!

The Best Tasting Peppers to Grow for Beginners

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​When you're just starting out, it's hard to narrow down the chillies you want to grow. I mean, Wikipedia estimates that there are over 50,000 varieties of Capsicum cultivars (​pepper plants). (I'm sure most of these are delicious, but let's make this best tasting peppers list simpler.)

​Here's​ the criteria for my "best" list... The pepper must:

  • ​Be on the easier side to grow
  • Be hardy (in other words, it has to be able to produce a lot)
  • Be tasty
  • Be one of the best chile varieties for popular uses like salsas and chili

​Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get to it!

Best tasting peppers jalapenos and habaneros

​Best Peppers For Cooking

An easy way to cook these chillies is to sauté them in your favorite fat for a few minutes, and then salt them to your liking. (I love cooking them in grassfed ​ghee or coconut oil -- yum!) ​These​ peppers are also great options for fajitas.

  • ​Padrón
  • Shishito
  • Cayenne
  • Thai Bird Chillies
  • Bell peppers
Best tasting peppers shishito peppers

Best Peppers For Salsa

​A big factor in making salsa is what your heat preference is. In this list, banana peppers are ​the least spicy, while habaneros ​are the hottest.

  • Jalapenos
  • Habaneros
  • Serranos
  • Banana peppers
  • Tabasco
Best Tasting Peppers Habanero Peppers

Best Peppers For Chili

Chili can be a very complex dish filled with all kinds of flavors, from mild to hot or ​fresh to smoky. I didn't include common smoked or dried peppers, such as chipotles or anchos, because those require preparation. The peppers listed below can be used fresh and ​are delicious!

  • Serranos
  • Jalapenos
  • Poblanos
  • Super Chili
  • ​Bell pepper
Best tasting peppers serrano peppers

Best Peppers For Pickling

The chillies below are common​ly used for p​reserving. ​To create a striking jar, pick these peppers at different maturity levels (i.e., when they are green versus red or whatever color they're supposed to be when mature).

  • Jalapenos
  • Super Chili
  • Banana peppers
  • Pepperoncini
  • Serranos
best tasting peppers banana peppers

Best Peppers For Topping Sandwiches and Pizza

Slice these chillies up and layer them on your pizza before it goes in the oven. They are also delicious as fresh peppers on a sandwich or even a salad or soup.

  • ​Pepperoncini
  • Banana peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Serranos
  • Fresno Chili
Best tasting peppers jalapeno peppers

Best Peppers For Stuffing

These chillies are large enough to receive whatever delectable filling you want! Cheese, ground meat, sour cream... whatever you'd like. ​​Put them in the oven to ​enjoy them as delicious, edible containers when they're ready.

  • Bell peppers
  • Poblanos
  • Anaheim Chili
  • Corno di Toro
Best tasting peppers bell pepper

Hey, You Missed Some!

​If you're thinking that I skipped some great chillies for each category, you're right!

Here's why ​they weren't included:

  • They are in the "super hot peppers" category. (Believe me, it hurt to leave these out because they are some of my favorites... hence, the name of this site. 😉) Really, really hot chillies are notorious for being difficult to grow. If you're a beginner, I don't want you to get discouraged because you couldn't get those Carolina Reapers to grow on your first try!
  • I wanted to make sure you could easily pick up these seeds or ​seedling​s in big box stores. These retailers tend to carry ​varieties that have those hardiness and production factors, so that totally fits with our criteria. ​
Best tasting peppers tabasco plant

Where To Get Your Pepp​er Plants Or Seeds

​Besides your nearby garden centers and nurseries, ​​​you have a lot of options for finding what you want. 

I've broken this down into two categories: Near You and Outside Resources

​Purchase from local sources whenever you can​. The seeds and plants ​grown in your climate are more likely to be better acclimated to your environment. Plus, local growers are going to provide varieties that work best in your area. Believe me, that has a lot to do with the success of your pepper plants!

​However, if you're like me and don't have a lot of options where you live, you ​can find what you want online. (Note: There are a lot more outside resource options, ​but I only list the vendors I personally use.)

​Near You:

  • ​​Your local farmer's market
  • Online neighborhood forum like Nextdoor (there might be some gardening clubs/groups in your area that post ​about plant / seed swaps)
  • Your county extension office (​do a web search on your county name followed by "extension office")
  • Your local health foods store / grocery store

Outside ​Resources: 

​(Please note, I'm not affiliated with these online retailers... I just purchase from them every year​.)

  • ​Cross Country Nurseries (Includes pepper plants, seeds and fresh peppers)
  • ​GrowJoy (Includes hot and sweet pepper plants)
  • ​The Pepper Seed Vendor List (​Find seeds for any chile variety ​by going to this post.)
pepper seedlings in peat pots

​Ready To Start Growing?

Great! ​Here's the ​Growing Peppers page​ to help you out.​ ​

​So What Are You Most Excited About Growing?

Please leave your comments below. No matter what stage you're in, I'd love to know what you​r thoughts are on this best tasting peppers post. 🙂

​​​CONTINUE READING THE GROWING PEPPERS SERIES:
​

How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats On Plants

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​​Image​: Larva (A), Imago (C) and Pupa (B) ["The Cambridge natural history" p. 477]

​Every once in awhile, I ask my email list what their biggest pain point is with growing peppers. Many people reply​ that they need help with pests, specifically how to get rid of fungus gnats!

Fungus gnats are those tiny, fly-looking insects that get everywhere. They crawl on top of soil, hover around plant leaves and get in your face. Truly, an annoying species.

​The adults don't cause any particular harm to plants, but they do lay eggs, and that's where the problem ​starts. You see, the eggs hatch into larvae, and this larvae feeds on plant roots. These larvae have ​worm-like bodies with dark heads.

fungus gnats

​​Larvae can stunt plant growth, particularly ​​in younger seedlings.

​​If you read the last pest and disease control article, you can use all those ​solutions -- especially 3, 4, 7 and 9 -- to help manage these pests. ​This ​post builds on those controls by using additional measures to specifically​ target fungus gnats.

Quick Navigation
Where Do Fungus Gnats Come From?
​How To Test For Fungus Gnat Larvae With A Potato
​Preventing Fungus Gnats On Indoor Pepper Plants
​​Make An Organic Neem Oil Spray
Still Seeing Adult Fungus Gnats Indoors?
​Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats On Outdoor Chillies
Control #1 - Make Fungus Gnat Traps
Control #2 - Spray An Organic Neem Oil Spray
About Neem Oil and Azadirachtin
​Biological Measures For Both Indoor and Outdoor Pepper Plants
​Biological Measure #1 - Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti)
Biological Measure #2 - Steinernema feltiae (nematode)
​​Best Practices For Preventing Fungus Gnats
Reducing Moisture 
​Removing Organic Matter
Managing Infested Plants
​​Products Mentioned In This Post
Other Fungus Gnat Resources Around The Web

Where Do Fungus Gnats Come From?

Gnat eggs and pupae can reside in the mixes we use to start our seeds and grow our plants. They love that moist, organic media.

According to University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program, a generation of fungus gnats can be produced in about 17 days. This number may vary, depending on temperature (eggs hatch in 3 days at 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Fungus gnat larvae

​How To Test For Fungus Gnat Larvae With A Potato

​If you want to confirm that you have fungus gnat larvae in your potting mix, use slices of potato. ​Larvae are attracted to potatoes​, and they'll leave the soil to feed on it. ​

  1. Slice a potato into thin slices and leave them on top of the soil line.
  2. Wait 2 to 3 days.
  3. Check your potato slices for larvae. They look like tiny, moving seeds with black heads.
  4. Throw the infested potato slices away.

​​If you discover larvae, use the prevention/control methods​ below to get rid of them.

potatoes can be used to detect fungus gnat larvae

​Preventing Fungus Gnats On Indoor Pepper Plants

​​A fungus gnat's life cycle is spent longer in the larva and pupa stage (when root damage ​happens), ​so that's when ​you want to start focusing your efforts. You can use the prevention method below before and after your chillies germinate.

​​Make An Organic Neem Oil Spray

  1. ​Pour a quart of water in a spray bottle.
  2. Add a TSP of neem oil with Azadirachtin (the most active ingredient in neem for killing pests).
  3. Squeeze a few drops of dish soap. Add a couple drops of peppermint oil too, if you have it. (Pests don't like the smell of peppermint.)
  4. Shake up your bottle to mix the ingredients.

​If Your Peppers Haven't Germinated Yet:

​(Did you know you can kill fungus gnats​ before your peppers ​even germinate? I learned ​how to do this by watching The Rusted Garden video underneath these steps.)

  1. ​Move your containers away from the grow lamp (if applicable) so you don't inadvertently spray your lights and dull them.
  2. Spray ​the tops and bottoms of your containers, as well as the plant trays. Really soak these areas so beads of water sit on the top of the surfaces where fungus gnats can potentially be.
  3. Repeat the spray process every 3 to 4 days over a 10 day period. This ​ensures you apply this treatment over ​the time​ frame when fungus gnat larvae is likely to hatch and emerge.

(Gary from The Rusted Garden also says you can hydrate your starting mix with boiling water, as eggs seem to be in all starting mixes.)

If Your Peppers Have Germinated:

  1. ​​​Wait until your grow light turns off for the night (if applicable). (I don't recommend spraying anything on seedlings while they'll be in the light because they can potentially burn.)
  2. Spray a small area of your seedlings and wait 48 hours to ensure they don't have a bad reaction.
  3. Spray the container tops and bottoms, plant tray and tops and undersides of your seedling leaves.
  4. Repeat the spray process every 3 to 4 days over a 10 day period.

Still Seeing Adult Fungus Gnats Indoors?

Here are a couple of solutions:

  1. ​Use yellow sticky traps. These traps will capture the adults and prevent them from breeding.​ (I don't use these outside because they have the potential to ​kill beneficial insects.)
  2. Point a small fan ​away from your chillies. ​Gnats are small and can be blown away by the air flow.

(​For your reference, I'll link all the products I mention in this post down below.)

​Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats On Outdoor Chillies

Gnats can ​bother your plants outdoors too. This is what​ I started seeing one season...

Control #1 - Make Fungus Gnat Traps

  1. ​​Fill a shallow container with a little bit of apple cider vinegar. (I used ​the scoop from my protein shake and added ~ 1 TBSP of the vinegar.)
  2. ​​Add a couple drops of peppermint oil. (Optional)​​​
  3. Add a couple drops of dish soap.
  4. Mix the liquid and leave your container near the plants where you​ see the fungus gnat activity. Be sure to replace the trap solution, as necessary, until the gnats are gone.

​​Here's an image of my trap. I left​ a bunch of these next to the pepper plants in my EarthBox. ​​​I started seeing results in a couple of days.

fungus gnat trap near pepper plants

Control #2 - Spray An Organic Neem Oil Spray

  1. Make a batch of neem oil spray (see above).
  2. Wait till the sun goes down, and then spray a small, leafy area of your plants as a test. ​After 48 hours, check to make sure your plant doesn't have damage. (It shouldn't, this is just a precaution).
  3. ​Wait till the sun goes down. Spray the leaves, stems and tops of the soil.
  4. ​Continue to spray every ​3 days for about a week or more. Keep in mind, adult gnats can hang around for 7 to 10 days, so you'll want to spray just as long to ensure you kill all the gnats during this time span.

About Neem Oil and Azadirachtin

​Recently, I discovered that there are different types of neem oil. (Neem is a naturally occurring pesticide derived from seeds of the neem tree.)

​The ​best neem is one that is "cold-pressed" ​​and has "Azadirachtin" as it's main ingredient. Azadirachtin is the most active component for killing pests.

​Azadirachtin ​acts as a pest repellent in that it interferes with the pest's hormone system so that it loses the desire to eat. The pest never gets to mature or lay eggs, and it eventually dies.

Many commercial neem products are processed in a way that actually removes the Azadirachtin. What you're left with is typically a "clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil." ​This type of neem can eliminate pests on contact, ​but it's not as effective because you won't get the repellent benefits of Azadirachtin.​ ​Despite this huge difference, all products are still labeled as "neem oil."

​(I'll link a ​cold-pressed neem with Azadirachtin product below, ​as an example.)

​Biological Measures For Both Indoor and Outdoor Pepper Plants

​You can use these measures separately or together, depending on your preference.

​Biological Measure #1 - Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti)

(Please note, Bti is not the same as Bt. Bti specifically treats insects, such as fungus gnats and mosquitoes, while Bt manages bugs like worms and caterpillars.)

Bti is usually found in nurseries or home improvement stores. It's a naturally occurring bacteria that I use in my organic garden if I've confirmed that larvae are present.

Bti is toxic to fungus gnat larvae, so they'll die before they have a chance to hatch. Common Bti products are Mosquito Bits, Mosquito Dunks and Gnatrol.

Gardeners may use Bti in different ways. Generally, you add the product to water, let it dissolve and then water your plants with it. My preference, for example, is to let a mosquito dunk dissolve in 5-gallons of water, fill a watering can and then apply it to the container's water reservoir.

Bti products need to be continuously reapplied to be effective (generally every 14 to 30 days). Keep in mind it may take several days to see results.

Biological Measure #2 - Steinernema feltiae (nematode)

​Steinernema feltiae is ​known as a "parasitic nematode" ​or "beneficial nematode." It's particularly effective when ​temperatures range from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and conditions are moist.

​Once applied to the soil, these nematodes go to work by ​seeking out larval and pupal insects (in this case fungus gnats) and feeding on them. They destroy them from the inside out and move on, all the way reproducing in numbers. 

The benefit of using nematodes is that once established, they provide season-long control.

(Beneficial nematodes are typically available via mail order ​from ​special suppliers. I haven't found one to recommend yet, but will update this post once I do. If you have a good beneficial nematode source, please share in the comments below!)

​​Best Practices For Preventing Fungus Gnats

​More tips to keep in mind as you grow...

Reducing Moisture 

  • ​Don't overwater your plants
  • Provide good drainage (you can add more perlite or sand to your potting mix.)
  • Allow the ​top of your container ​mix to dry between waterings
  • Clean up any standing water or fix leaks.

​Removing Organic Matter

  • ​Clean up ​nearby organic debris so fungus gnats don't start feeding or breeding in it.
  • Do not use organic matter that isn't completely composted. Unless pasteurized, the matter can potentially be infested with gnats.

Managing Infested Plants

  • ​Keep any affected plants away from​ everything else. Fungus gnats spread quick! (I know from experience.)
  • Potentially get rid of infested plants. Sometimes that's the best option when things get out of control.

​​​CONTINUE READING THE GROWING PEPPERS SERIES:
​

​​Products Mentioned In This Post

​​Here's an Amazon page that shows all the products I use in the​ steps.

(By the way, the Amazon ​links on this page are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you ​purchase any of the products. It's at no extra cost to you, and if you have any questions related to the items, I'd be happy to answer them for you!)

​And for those of you looking for more information on ​dealing with plant pests and disease… Make sure to check out The Chile Plant Hospital. You’ll discover some of the most common issues that affect chillies, and get the exact remedies you need to fix each problem fast. I’m always here to answer questions!

Other Fungus Gnat Resources Around The Web

I learned a lot from these articles and videos. They should help you as well!

Article

University of Davis Integrated Pest Management

Forum Post

​The Hot Pepper: Fungus Gnats 

How to Test Pepper Seed Viability for Germination Before You Plant

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​You can start your peppers by simply sowing a few seeds and then waiting ​to see what pops up. ​It's much safer to test ​pepper seed viability first.

Why?

​​A viability test can give you an absolute guarantee that ​​certain seeds, under favorable grow conditions, ​can germinate.

​Home gardeners typically depend on frost dates, grow seasons and other weather-related factors (assuming you grow outdoors). ​Seeds that won't sprout can make you lose precious time that can throw your whole season off. Or, worse, you might not get to grow out your favorite chillies.

​Business owners may provide pepper plants​ or chile-related products for customers.​ Unusable seeds​ is money lost. ​And if your business grows novelty peppers, it may not be possible to purchase​ the same seedling varieties to replace your lost plants.

​This is why you want to test pepper seed viability for germination. ​It can save a lot of trouble.

​​Soak Your Seeds

If you remember this post, I ​describe the soaking procedure. ​This is how you tell whether the seeds can germinate in the first place.

Soaking pepper seeds

  1. ​Drop a few seeds in a cup filled with water. (You can also use a weak chamomile tea solution to help kill off any bacteria during the soak.)
  2. Wait 24 to 48 hours.
  3. ​​Discard the seeds that are still floating at the top.
  4. ​Plant the seeds that dropped to the bottom. These are you good seeds.

Note: Be sure to plant your soaked seeds right away, or use them for the seed germination test below.

​Test Pepper Seeds for ​Viability

​This process ​will determine the viability of your seeds, which means you'll know if they are capable of germination.  ​Yo​u can plant these sprouts right after the test.

​Materials You'll Need:

  • ​​10 seeds of each pepper variety you are testing (or use the ones from the soaking procedure)​​​
  • Sealable plastic baggies for each pepper variety
  • Paper towels for each variety
  • Permanent marker to label the baggies
  • ​Spray bottle filled with water

1. Wet the paper towel with water and then spread it out.

soaking a paper towel
paper towel spread out
  • 2. Place 10 seeds of a pepper variety on the towel.

    • test pepper seed viability with 10 pepper seeds on towel

    3. Roll up the paper towel and press slightly to make sure the seeds connect with the towel and stay in place.

    rolling up paper towel to test pepper seed viability
  • 4. Drop the towel in a sealable baggie and then label it with the name of the pepper variety. 

    • labeling pepper seed viability test

    5. Put the baggie on a warm area, such as a heat mat, to help with the germination.

    6. Check the seeds in the towel daily for germination. Spray the towel to keep it moist.

    Simple Seed Germination Test Video:

    Determine Your Seed Viability Results:

    ​​After the seeds have sprouted, you'll want to determine their viability rate. This will tell you whether the rest of the seed packet has a good chance of germination.

    Simply count the number of germinated seedlings and multiply by 10 to get the rate. For instance, 8 seeds would be an 80% viability rate.

    Note: Less than a 50% viability rate​ is going to be tough to grow. I suggest getting another pack of seeds, or else plant a lot more seeds in the hopes that some will germinate.

    ​Plant Your Germinated Seedlings:

    ​Once those seeds sprout, you'll want to get them in a potting medium to start growing them out.

    ​​Cut the piece of paper towel that contains the seedling and then just plant directly into the medium. Don't try to pull the seedling off of the towel because you can damage the roots.

    Happy growing!

    ​​​CONTINUE READING THE ​HOW TO GERMINATE PEPPER SEEDS SERIES:
    ​

    ​​And for those of you looking for complete, how-to steps on all indoor growing phases, from ​germinating your seeds to g​etting your seedlings to the point ​where they can safely go outside… Make sure to check out the updated and expanded Pepper Seed Starting Guide. I personally use this resource to ​start my abundant pepper garden each season, and I’m always here to answer questions!