Planting Peppers Step-by-Step

Planting peppers in your garden, whether you plant in ground, in raised beds, or in containers, is easy with our step-by-step instructions.

Planting Peppers: putting in new plant

Planting peppers is easy. Just follow these steps:

  1. Step 1: If planting in-ground, prepare the soil with a tiller or turning fork. Work a 3- to 5-inch layer of compost or premium garden soil, such as Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs, into the soil to a depth of 6 of 10 inches. When planting in a container, fill the container with a premium quality potting soil such as Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix. Using your trowel, dig a planting hole just deep enough to cover the root-ball of the plant. Space in-ground holes 18 inches apart for most peppers; some of the larger bells may need 24 inches.

  2. Step 2: Gently remove the plant from its pot.
  3. 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. Make sure to bury the top rim of the pot so that there is nothing to stick up above the ground after planting.
  4. Step 4: Add plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food, to the soil around the plant. Be sure to follow label directions. Using high quality soil and plant food together is a great way to achieve impressive results in the garden.
  5. 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.
  6. Step 6: Mulch with pine needles, straw, or compost to help keep moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.
Leave plenty of growing space around each new pepper plant.
Leave plenty of growing space around each new pepper plant.