Proper preparation of the soil for growing sweet peppers

Sweet pepper is a rather capricious culture. To get a rich harvest of juicy and fleshy fruits, it is not enough just to buy good seeds and water the seedlings on time. The foundation for success is laid long before plants are planted in the ground. The name of this foundation is properly prepared soil. Pepper is very demanding on the fertility, structure and acidity of the earth, and ignoring these requirements will almost certainly lead to disappointment.
It is better to start preparing a bed for pepper in autumn. This allows the applied fertilizers and components to "disperse" better in the soil, and the earth to rest and gain strength. Spring training is also possible, but it will be less effective. The main task is to create the most comfortable conditions for the root system of pepper: a loose, breathable, moisture—intensive and nutritious environment.
Autumn work: laying the foundation for the harvest
In autumn, after harvesting and harvesting plant residues, the garden for future peppers must be dug deep with a shovel bayonet. Pepper does not like acidic soils, so if the acidity in your area is elevated (pH below 6.0), it's time to add deoxidizers. Suitable for this:
- Dolomite flour.
- Slaked lime (pushonka).
- Wood ash.
They not only normalize the pH, but also enrich the soil with calcium and magnesium.
At the same time as the excavation, basic organic and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied. Pepper just loves organics. The ideal option is well—rotted manure or compost (about one bucket per square meter). Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added from mineral fertilizers in autumn. Nitrogen fertilizers are not applied in autumn, as they are easily washed out of the soil by meltwater. After adding all the components, the bed is dug up again, but the clods of earth are not broken. This way the soil freezes better in winter, which will help get rid of some of the pests and pathogens.
Spring touches: we prepare the "landing place"
in the Spring, as soon as the soil dries and warms up, the preparation continues. The bed needs to be smoothed with a rake, breaking up the lumps left over from autumn. Now it's the turn of the spring "refilling" of the soil. At this time, complex mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied, which is so necessary for plants to actively grow green mass at the initial stage.
To make the soil more friable and airy, you can add a little peat or river sand, especially if you have heavy clay soil. Immediately before planting seedlings, about a week in advance, it is recommended to spill the bed with a hot solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate. This is a simple but effective measure for disinfection of the soil and prevention of fungal diseases, to which pepper is so sensitive.
Secrets of fertility and the choice of predecessors
An important aspect of soil preparation is crop rotation. You can not plant peppers in the same place for several years in a row, as well as after other nightshade crops (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants). They share common diseases and pests that accumulate in the soil.
The best precursors for pepper are:
- Cucumbers.
- Cabbage.
- Legumes (peas, beans).
- Onion and garlic.
- Root vegetables (carrots, beets).
These crops do not deplete the soil as much as nightshade crops, and leave behind an environment favorable for pepper.
The earth is the breadwinner
Soil preparation may not be the most exciting stage of gardening, but it is definitely one of the most important. This is an investment in the future harvest.
By spending a little time and effort in the fall and spring, you will create ideal starting conditions for your peppers. And they, in turn, will surely thank you with a generous harvest of large, sweet and fragrant fruits that cannot be compared with any store-bought ones. The Minimum deposits apply, and terms must be met to withdraw winnings. Our experts tested 1xBet’s platform to bring you the key details, so you can start playing with maximum value. 1xbet promo code free bet you access exclusive bonuses for sports and casino. Grab an enhanced 130% sports betting bonus up to €130, and a casino package of up to €1950 + 150 free spins. You can only claim one welcome offer. Either sports or casino, as a new player. Choose the one you prefer when registering. Terms like wagering and expiry apply to both offers.