Step 1
Prepare the ground with a tiller or turning fork. Work a 3- to 5-inch layer of compost or other organic matter into the soil to a depth of 8 of 10 inches. Using your trowel, dig a planting hole just deep enough to cover the root-ball of the plant. Space holes 18 inches apart for most peppers; some of the larger bells may need 24 inches.
Step 2
Gently remove the plant by slipping the plastic container from the root-ball. Don’t tug on the plant stem, or you may tear it from the roots. If the roots are growing out of holes in the bottom of the pot, tear or cut them away and squeeze and twist the pot to remove it from the roots. If roots are matted, use your fingertips to gently break them apart, or they may grow in circles and stunt the plant.
If your plant is in a Bonnie peat pot, gently tear away the bottom of the pot so that the roots will be in direct contact with the soil. Also peel back the top rim of the peat pot so that there is nothing to stick up above the ground after planting .
Step 3
Set the plant in the hole so that the top of the root-ball is level with the ground surface. Do not plant deeply like tomatoes, or the plants may rot.
Step 4
Sprinkle fertilizer around the plant and in the soil that will go back into the hole. Use an organic fertilizer or a timed-release product, which is more expensive but lasts longer and stays in place. Apply the amount recommended on the fertilizer label.
Step 5
Backfill the hole. When you are done, gently pat the soil around the roots to avoid air pockets, and water thoroughly. This is very important to help settle the soil and start the plant.
Step 6
Mulch with pine needles, straw, or compost to help keep moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.
I love bonnie plants! I watch many videos because I am a beginner, one suggestion is to add toi the instructions on the pot to peel off rim of pot. The instructions on the wrapper says peel the bottom but not the top, that would be a great help.
I recently bought some green and red peppers and put them in containers. I am now thinking the container is too small. I was wondering if it’s too late to transplant to a bigger container. I just put them in two days ago. If there is a way, do you have any advice on how to do so? I’m kinda new to all this.
Hi Laura,
Peppers are great for containers, but you do need to have the correct size. Repotting them after a few days, as long as you are careful with the existing rootball, will be fine. In the article “What Size Pot?” we show you preferable pot size for your plants. Depending on which peppers you purchased, you can determine our on variety listings if your plant is considered “small” or “large” as described. For larger pepper plants, you’ll also want to stake them for stability! Let us know how it grows. ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants