That looks too tight. I give each pepper a full square foot.
mykdee311
They will probably grow fine, but they will be harder to harvest and prevent disease. I grew some every 1 foot last year, they were really dense, but did grow.
FreyaGoddessLOL
I mean it kinda depends on the variety you are growing but overall I think they look a bit too tight. Especially in the vertical spacing…. I would personally plant 3 vertically instead of 4, and I’d give them another 4-6in away from each other horizontally.
Brujo-Bailando
I put mine about 2 feet apart. They make more peppers if not crowed.
ShinyHoothoot
From my experience peppers like to grow together, and there is also the added benefit of shading each other from hot summer sun so the fruits dont get scorched
trebuchetguy
It’s a bit tight. I grow 16 peppers in a full 4×8 bed. I stagger them in three rows of 5-6-5. When you stagger them, you get a little more distance between plants for the same row spacing. Even that is a still a bit close and they grow into each other. I’m going for the most yield I can get out of a 4×8 box as my garden is primarily a canning garden. If I dropped to 8 or 10 plants I would be able to get bigger plants and larger peppers. Most bell peppers are 8 to 12 ounces with this configuration. I harvest and replant my own seeds, so seedling cost isn’t a concern. I just peeked at the local greenhouse at seedling prices. Yikes. Glad I roll my own.
I plant 18-24″ on center depending on variety. Where I live (central VA) has very humid summers and packing them that closely would result in bacterial and fungal disease mid to late summer.
newtossedavocado
I agree with /u/ShinyHoothoot. I’ve had wild success growing plants like that. However, I usually plant in a whorl or circular pattern that is only two to three plants deep (and staggard) with an opening in the middle. This way I can access from all sides.
Trimming and staking is also key for tall growing varieties. Much like tomatoes, I trim off the bottom leaves as it grows for air circulation. I also trim off branches that won’t be larger than pencil thick, routinely thin out the largest leaves to promote new growth, and harvest off peppers every day as they grow. Even if I’m going for ripened peppers. It promotes growth.
If you are going to put in irrigation, put it in BEFORE you plant, and bury the lines if using dripper tape.
Important-Panic1344
Yes
BrisnSpartan
Are they the same variety? Having multiple varieties that close makes cross pollinating a real possibility. 🌱
Chickenman70806
In Louisiana (9a) and I plant them 1 foot apart
tuna-raft
A little close but to help with that I would plant them 4-3-4-3 …etc. If you keep that spacing but do 4-3 and the cups offset with one another then I think you’ll be okay.
HauntingSentence6359
Give 24” of space.
Comfortable_Use_9536
I prefer at least 18 inches of spacing. If the foliage overlaps they become prone to diseases. At least here in Florida where it’s high humidity.
14 Comments
That looks too tight. I give each pepper a full square foot.
They will probably grow fine, but they will be harder to harvest and prevent disease. I grew some every 1 foot last year, they were really dense, but did grow.
I mean it kinda depends on the variety you are growing but overall I think they look a bit too tight. Especially in the vertical spacing…. I would personally plant 3 vertically instead of 4, and I’d give them another 4-6in away from each other horizontally.
I put mine about 2 feet apart. They make more peppers if not crowed.
From my experience peppers like to grow together, and there is also the added benefit of shading each other from hot summer sun so the fruits dont get scorched
It’s a bit tight. I grow 16 peppers in a full 4×8 bed. I stagger them in three rows of 5-6-5. When you stagger them, you get a little more distance between plants for the same row spacing. Even that is a still a bit close and they grow into each other. I’m going for the most yield I can get out of a 4×8 box as my garden is primarily a canning garden. If I dropped to 8 or 10 plants I would be able to get bigger plants and larger peppers. Most bell peppers are 8 to 12 ounces with this configuration. I harvest and replant my own seeds, so seedling cost isn’t a concern. I just peeked at the local greenhouse at seedling prices. Yikes. Glad I roll my own.
https://preview.redd.it/8adceodla3rc1.png?width=631&format=png&auto=webp&s=0ed1044dd5b7d44620807e561a649ea6d11d4fd1
I plant 18-24″ on center depending on variety. Where I live (central VA) has very humid summers and packing them that closely would result in bacterial and fungal disease mid to late summer.
I agree with /u/ShinyHoothoot. I’ve had wild success growing plants like that. However, I usually plant in a whorl or circular pattern that is only two to three plants deep (and staggard) with an opening in the middle. This way I can access from all sides.
Trimming and staking is also key for tall growing varieties. Much like tomatoes, I trim off the bottom leaves as it grows for air circulation. I also trim off branches that won’t be larger than pencil thick, routinely thin out the largest leaves to promote new growth, and harvest off peppers every day as they grow. Even if I’m going for ripened peppers. It promotes growth.
If you are going to put in irrigation, put it in BEFORE you plant, and bury the lines if using dripper tape.
Yes
Are they the same variety? Having multiple varieties that close makes cross pollinating a real possibility. 🌱
In Louisiana (9a) and I plant them 1 foot apart
A little close but to help with that I would plant them 4-3-4-3 …etc. If you keep that spacing but do 4-3 and the cups offset with one another then I think you’ll be okay.
Give 24” of space.
I prefer at least 18 inches of spacing. If the foliage overlaps they become prone to diseases. At least here in Florida where it’s high humidity.