A Southern Heat-Loving Favorite: Peppers!

August 22, 2022

Peppers are a staple in any gardens and are so incredibly versatile and can be used or consumed in a large variety of ways. Peppers are a warm-season vegetable that grow in most Southern States really well and love the heat. 


Peppers are wonderful to eat raw or cooked, eat them for a snack or as a garnish to a favorite dish, they can also be added to salads and casseroles, or served stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs  or meat and baked with cheese.  YUM!

Site Selection 

Peppers grow in all types of soils but the best recommendation is well-drained soils. They need to be in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. 


Before planting, work the soil with a shovel or broadfork about 6-10 inches deep to loosen the soil and rake it to break up the large chunks. Mixing in large amounts of organic matter will improve your plant health greatly, especially if you have heavy clay soil.  Compost, peat moss, or rotted hay are all great options to use. 

Planting & Watering 

Depending on your goals, only a few plants may only be needed to feed your family.  You can certainly start from seed or plants can be purchased from your local garden center or farmers market usually. 


If starting from seed, try to start as early as possible. Where we live in North Houston, that is around early-mid March. 


According to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, about 3-4 hot pepper plants and 8-10 sweet pepper plants are enough for a family of 4. 


You will want to check on the plants several times a week to make sure they are getting enough water.  Slow, deep watering helps the root system grow strong during the hot summer months.  It is important not to let the plants wilt because this will decrease the yield and quality of the fruit. 


Spacing 

Pepper plants do get really big and it is best to be about 18-24 inches apart in a sunny spot. At the time of planting, I like to dig out my hole and put a generous cup of compost in and then plant. 


Different Varieties Available 

The best varieties for growing here in Texas as recommended by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension include the following for sweet and hot pepper varieties: 


Sweet: Bell Tower, Big Bertha, California Wonder, Gypsy, Jupiter, Yolo Wonder 


Hot: Hidalgo Serrano, Hungarian Wax, Jalapeno, Long Red Cayenne, TAM Mild Jalapeno 


Pests & Disease

Like growing most veggies, fighting the pests and diseases are a hard battle each growing season. It really is helpful to research the best for your area and to grow disease-resistant varieties. 


The most common types of pests for pepper plants are cutworms, flea beetles, aphids, and whiteflies. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can be used first. If not successful, pyrethrin can also be used which is another good organic option. 


The mosaic virus is a common disease with pepper as well as bacterial spot. Drip irrigation is very helpful to prevent fungus and bacterial diseases. Blossom end rot can be prevented with adequate soil calcium and regular moisture. 


Another idea is to plant companion plants near your pepper to help the plants thrive - either because of pest control, pollinator, or increasing productivity. A plant foe is one that prevents peppers from thriving. 


The following are a pepper plants companions: basil, cilantro, okra, spinach, onions, tomatoes. 


Peppers don’t like the company of members of the Brassica family or with fennel. Avoid planting near an apricot tree as well and also bean plants.


Harvesting Tips 

When your peppers are ready, use pruning scissors or shears to cut ripe peppers off the vine, leaving a short stem attached. Try not to pull off by hand, this can cause the entire branch to break. 


You can harvest your peppers at different stages of maturity. Young peppers are mostly green while most mature peppers are red. 


To store peppers, wash the fruit and pat dry. Peppers will continue to change color for 3 days after harvest when stored at room temperature. To stall maturing, place in the fridge. 

Peppers  are one of our absolute favorites in the garden and we have a great selection of seeds in the Root & Roux Garden Shop available now!  If you miss the window for planting this fall, just save your seeds in a cool, dry place and you can plant in the spring!  Please let us know what your favorite varieties are as we are always on the lookout for new ones to try ourselves and offer in the store! 


Happy gardening ya’ll! 


Growing Mums!

November 21, 2022
Chrysanthemums or “Mums” are a beautiful seasonal flower here in Texas! Especially in the fall! You can find mums sold at most grocery stores and garden centers in late summer and fall. These mums have been pinched or cut into their sought after rounded shape with lots of blooms and buds covering the plant. When purchasing a garden mum from a local store or garden center it is important to think about when you want your mums to be blooming. If you are hosting a holiday party very soon and want to show off their blooms, it is okay to purchase a mum that is full of open flowers. However, once the blooms are spent the mum will be done blooming for the rest of the season. To get the longest life out of your chrysanthemum, select a plant that has unopened buds or a mix of semi-open and closed buds. This will help you enjoy your plant longer, giving you an average of 4-6 weeks of bloom time.

Fall Seeds and Frost Protection

October 28, 2022
Fall has officially arrived with temperatures finally dropping and cold fronts blowing in much needed rain! As the weather cools off warm hardy plants will begin to slow down, produce seed, and finish their life cycle. The average first frost date is November 28th - December 15th for planting Zones 8 - 9. Once the first frost arrives warm annuals such as zinnias, dahlias, watermelons, tomatoes, and many more will shrivel and die leaving your garden bare. However, there are many cold hardy plants that you may direct seed and transplant now in your garden that can tolerate frosts and light freezes. Seeding and transplanting these plants will keep your garden productive and beautiful during the winter months.

How to Read a Seed Packet!

September 8, 2022
Seed packets come in all shapes and sizes! Each company structures their seed packets differently, but all will tell you information that you need to know to grow the seeds inside! There is a lot of information packed on one packet and some of the information is very technical. Each category on a seed packet is important and each has their own meaning and impact on your plants. Planting Season : The first step to starting your seeds or planting your transplants is to know during which season the variety you have selected grows best. For example, Zinnias do not grow well during the cold months of winter, and Ranunculus do not grow well in the hot months of summer. Some seed packets will list the growing season on them, such as warm season or cool season. If the season is not listed, you can research the variety based on your growing zone, or ask your local garden center.

Growing Broccoli in The South!

September 6, 2022
Broccoli is a cool season crop that grows well in the cooler months for the Southern States. There are plenty of nutritional benefits with Broccoli and they are high in Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Potassium. Broccoli also has more protein than most other vegetables. Broccoli can also be enjoyed both raw, steamed, or cooked. Site Selection Broccoli needs to be planted in full sun where it can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It also needs fertile, well draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Mulch will also help keep the ground cool and moist. Planting & Watering Broccoli can be started from seed and will be ready for planting in about 14 days. Depending on the variety the plants do grow quickly with the average maturity at around 60 days. Transplanting is better to have a more controlled environment and to get a jump start on the weeds to ensure a successful start.

Growing One of The Most Underrated Vegetables - Beets!

September 1, 2022
Beets are a cool season crop that grow well in the cooler months for the Southern States. They are an excellent choice for home hardens as they require little growing space. Beets are grown for both the roots which are usually pickled and the green tops which can be used as “greens” in any salad dish or cooking dish such as with scrambled eggs, in pasta, or in a grain bowl. There are plenty of nutritional benefits and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. They are also high in fiber, nitrates, and potassium according to the Cleveland Clinic .

Growing Tomatoes in The South - A Classic Garden Favorite!

August 16, 2022
Known as the most popular garden vegetable, the tomato, is a long time favorite for generations. While a fairly easy plant to grow and enjoy, there are a few tricks to learn that will help set you up for success. There are over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes registered so this can be incredibly overwhelming to select for your garden. Knowing the basics of the different varieties, sizes, shapes, and colors will help you have a better understanding to make the best choice for you. Determinate tomatoes are big bushy types with small, berry tomatoes. The most common approach is to let these grow in cages or to stake with bamboo. Indeterminate tomatoes are tall-growing with large tomatoes. These will need to be staked and tied every foot or two as they will keep growing until the end of the plant's life either by disease or frost. A trellis is another good option. Hybrids are a cross of two distinct parent varieties that combines desirable traits such as disease resistance, early maturity, or fruit set at high temperatures. These are called F1 (first generation) varieties and are commonly grown by many vegetable farmers and growers. There are some fantastic hybrids that have been developed in the past 50-60 years that are favorites by many gardeners and growers for their specific traits that have made them better plants for growing in the South. The seeds produced by these plants may not come back true to the parent plant. Open-pollinated can be defined by a variety with fixed genetic traits that are pollinated by wind or insects. The genetics are considered stable and it will grow true from saved seed. Heirlooms are a classification of a variety that has been grown for at least 50 years and must be an open-pollinated variety. Many enthusiasts find the history behind the heirloom fascinating and motivating to carry on the line of that specific variety. Within these different categories of seeds types, the sizes and shapes of tomatoes also vary greatly. Beefsteaks are known as the jumbo ones and can be 1-2 pounds in weight! Slicers are mostly round, not much bigger than a baseball, and can weigh 4-8 ounces. Paste tomatoes are also known as plum, Italian, or Roma tomatoes. These are the best choice for canning, freezing, roasting, drying, or sauce making due to having fewer seeds and juice. Cherry tomatoes are small, bite-size, round, oval, grape, and pear varieties in many colors including red, pink, yellow, green, purple, deep blue and two-tone varieties. Currants are a different species altogether, are tiny pea size varieties that are perfect for snacking or as additions to salads.

Marigolds - An Excellent Garden Companion

August 9, 2022
Marigolds are a fantastic collection that is an excellent garden and cut flower very commonly grown during the Fall, but we love during all warm months. They are edible and have a peppery flavor, the leaves have a scent that some love (and some despise), and that scent also makes them deer resistant. Hooray! They are drought resistant and do amazingly well during the hot months. The pollinators love them and butterflies are a common sight on our blooms in the gardens. Marigolds have long been a favorite with vegetable growers and are known to be excellent companion plants to help deter pests and also bring in beneficial insects. The plants are known to deter usually cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, nematodes, squash bugs, and potato beetles. Specific vegetable plants that can benefit from marigolds are cucumbers, melons, eggplants, squash, potatoes, lettuce, pumpkins, tomatoes, asparagus, beans, and onions.

Cosmos - A Lovely Garden Favorite

August 6, 2022
Cosmos are a classic cottage garden favorite with wispy blooms that are a favorite among many. It is a lovely addition to landscaping beds, containers, and one of my favorites for the cutting garden. There are many varieties available now commercially by seed and seedling transplants. Cosmos are also a pollinator favorite! Site Selection Cosmos need to have a place with full sun, at least six hours of full sunlight. They do prefer well draining soil with high organic content. A heaping scoop of compost raked into the soil will do wonders for plant health.

Growing Pumpkins in the South for Fall

August 3, 2022
Pumpkins are a fall favorite among many whether grown for pies, jack-o’-lanterns, or seeds for snackings. While usually easy to grow, there are a few steps to keep in mind to plan for in order to try to have success. Pumpkins can be susceptible to some pests and diseases and are warm season plants only. Site Selection Pumpkins are known to be heavy feeders, so adding compost and possibly additional fertilizer might be a good idea depending on soil test results. When adding compost, try to put a heaping pile of organic matter, enough to add about 3” across your planting area, and then rake it in well in the soil. Pumpkins need to be planted in full sun, a location that receives 6 hours of sunlight at a minimum.

Zinnias - A Heat Loving Garden Favorite

August 1, 2022
As a long time classic garden and cut flower favorite, Zinnias thrive in the heat found in the Southern States. Their dainty ruffles are always welcomed in our gardens and just speak of summer. I love how they remind me of dahlias but with much less fuss! They can be used in casual rustic arrangements and I’ve even used them in wedding bouquets before. Their uses are endless and they are power houses that are very productive during the warm season months.
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