Growing Peppers in Containers

By

duanedv

I"m in West Michigan, zone 5 I think. I have very good success using what is referred to 'Self Watering Containers'. I use 5 gallon food grade plastic buckets that I get from pizza shops etc. If you are not familiar with SWC's they are a container with a false bottom about 3 inches or so from the real bottom. Cut an opening in this false bottom and fasten a plastic jar that has holes int it.

When you fill the container with your potting soil, fill this first, then the rest of the container. This will act as a wick to draw up water. I put a length of tubing (hose or whatever) through the false bottom so it extends out the top for easy access. Drill an overflow hole in the bucket about a half inch or so below the false bottom. Then when adding water through the tube, if you add to much, it will drain out. This method allows the plants to draw water as needed.

I have successfully grown regular tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, a variety of peppers (green bell, hot peppers) in these. They are spread about on my deck as my arthritis prevents me from the old style of garden. I'm very pleased with the results.