GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:

Set pepper plant seedlings out after the last spring frost. They grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens.

• Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. Pepper plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

• Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil when planting.

• Water immediately after planting, then regularly throughout the season. Aim for a total of 1-2 inches per week (more when it's hotter).

• Mix a continuous-release fertilizer into the soil at planting and replenish as directed during the growing season.

• Spread mulch (such as chopped leaves or straw) around the plants to help keep the soil cool and moist.

• Support each pepper plant with a stake or small tomato cage, to help bear the weight of the fruit once it begins to produce.

• Harvest peppers with shears or a knife, then store in the fridge. Be sure to pick all peppers before the first fall frost comes.