Starting your own kitchen garden can seem both exciting and daunting all at once. But as a gardener, it is all about taking that leap of faith and believing in your abilities to grow something wonderful for you and your loved ones.
If you're just starting out as a rookie kitchen gardener and you want to grow bell peppers or capsicum in your garden, you're in for a rollercoaster ride in all the best ways! Capsicum is relatively much easier to grow than some other vegetables and will definitely leave you feeling more at ease once its small flowers and vegetables start coming in. Not to mention, this vegetable is packed with all things healthy that will benefit you in the long run.
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• How to Grow Capsicum At Home From Seeds
Capsicum, commonly known as bell pepper or sweet pepper, is a versatile vegetable that adds color and flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re interested in green, red, or yellow capsicum, watching your capsicum seeds growing into wonderful, bountiful plants in your yard is a very rewarding experience.
With a little care and the right knowledge, you can easily enjoy fresh, home-grown capsicum that is not only tastier but also entirely free from harmful chemicals. This guide will walk you through the process, from sowing capsicum seeds to harvesting and using them in your kitchen.
Capsicums are known for their vibrant colors, including green, red, yellow, and even orange. The vegetable is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C and vitamin A, and offers numerous health benefits. Capsicum is commonly used in salads, stir-fries, and as a topping on pizzas, making it a favorite in many households.
• Benefits of Capsicum: Why You Will Love Planting Capsicums
1. Rich in Nutrients
Capsicum is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, E, and K. These vitamins are crucial for maintaining healthy skin, boosting immunity, and promoting eye health. Additionally, capsicum contains antioxidants that help combat free radicals in the body.
2. Aids in Digestion
Capsicum is rich in dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion by preventing constipation and promoting regular bowel movements. It also contains capsaicin, which has been shown to boost metabolism and aid in weight loss.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The capsaicin in capsicum has anti-inflammatory effects, making it beneficial for those suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Regular consumption of capsicum can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
4. Promotes Heart Health
Capsicum is known to improve heart health by reducing cholesterol levels and regulating blood pressure. The antioxidants in capsicum also help protect the heart from oxidative stress, reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Sowing Capsicum Seeds - How to Start
1. Selecting Capsicum Seeds
When taking your pick of capsicum seeds, consider the type of capsicum you want to grow in your garden. There are several to choose from:
a. Green Capsicum: These are the most common and are typically harvested before they ripen into red or yellow capsicum.
b. Red Capsicum: If you're looking for red capsicum seeds, remember that they will produce capsicum with a sweet, slightly fruity flavor, ideal for adding a pop of color to salads and dishes.
c. Yellow Capsicum: The yellow capsicum seeds will bring you a vegetable known for their bright color and sweet taste, perfect for those who prefer milder flavors.
2. Preparing the Soil
Capsicum thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. The soil you're using must be rich in organic matter and have a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Before planting, prepare the soil by adding compost or well-decomposed Cow Manure to improve its nutrient content. This will provide the capsicum seeds with the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.
However, it will be best if you allow your capsicum seeds to germinate and grow into seedling in a perfectly made and consistently moist medium of Cocopeat.
3. Sowing Capsicum Seeds
The best time to sow capsicum seeds is during the spring when the soil temperature is around 18-25°C (64-77°F). If you're wondering how to grow capsicum at home from seeds, here's a step-by-step guide:
a. Start Indoors: Capsicum seeds growing indoors is ideal as it allows you to control the environment. Fill seed trays or small pots with a good quality seed-starting mix.
b. Planting Capsicums: Sow the capsicum pepper seeds about 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) deep in the soil. Space the seeds about 5 cm (2 inches) apart if planting in trays.
c. Watering: Water the seeds gently to avoid washing them away. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
d. Germination: Capsicum seeds typically take 7-14 days to germinate. Keep the seed trays in a warm, well-lit area to encourage germination.
• Capsicum Plant Care
Caring for the plant once the seedlings are established is pretty easy. This is because post that period, the plant is non-demanding and easy to look after, even for new gardeners. Here are a few tips on how to go about it:
1. Transplanting
If you're transplanting the capsicum seedlings outdoors, choose a sunny spot in your garden. Capsicum plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Space the plants about 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) apart to give them room to grow.
2. Watering
Capsicum plants need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
3. Feeding
Use a balanced fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus to encourage healthy growth and fruit production. Fertilize the plants every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. One of the best media to plant the seedlings in is Ugaoo's Organic Veggie Mix that provides your plants with the perfect kind and amount of nutrients they need in order to develop healthy vegetables, and great harvest for you. This works great as a fertilizer and a soil substitute.
4. Mulching
Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching also helps maintain a stable soil temperature.
5. Pest Control
Capsicum plants can be susceptible to pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Regularly inspect your plants and use organic insecticides or Neem Oil to control infestations.
• Harvesting and Storing Capsicum
Harvesting the capsicum you planted as a seed is one of the most rewarding and satisfying thing you will do during your kitchen gardening journey. To harvest, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the capsicum from the plant, leaving a short stem attached to the fruit. Remember to always avoid pulling the vegetable off, as this can damage the plant.
Capsicum can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you have a large harvest, you can freeze the capsicum after slicing it, or preserve it by pickling or drying.
There are countless ways that you can use your freshly harvested capsicums in your daily routine. Whether you sauté it with olive oil, add it to a salad, use it as a topping in wraps and rolls or make a whole dish out of it, this vegetable is one of the most versatile and delicious ones you will grow in your yard. So, where will you be growing your capsicum and how will you use it?
