Peppers grow best in a specific pH range.
Soil pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of soil, and like most plants, hot peppers have a specific pH range in which they thrive. Hot peppers make a zesty addition to countless recipes, and they grow in conditions similar to sweet peppers.
Identification
Low pH indicates acidic soil, while high pH means that the soil is alkaline. Soil with a pH between 6.6 and 7.3 is considered neutral. Peppers do best in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 6.8. They will tolerate soil with a pH as low as 5.5 or as high as 7.5.
Solutions
There are many things you can do if your soil's pH is too low or too high for hot peppers. Liming can help raise the pH of acidic soils. Liming is the process of adding finely-ground limestone to the soil. If the pH of your soil is too high, you can apply anhydrous ammonia as a nitrogen fertilizer, or add gypsum followed by leeching through irrigation.
Considerations
Hot peppers grow best in warm soil that is moist and well-drained. Ample sun exposure is important, as is temperature. Peppers are very sensitive to freezing temperatures, so don't plant them until after the last frost date in your area.
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