How to properly water peppers in a greenhouse or open ground

When growing bell peppers, adequate watering is crucial. To ensure the seedlings take root firmly in the soil, the plant grows well, and produces as many fruits as possible and their weight increases, proper watering is essential. This video shows how to water peppers.

Rules for watering in a greenhouse and in open ground

Peppers thrive on moisture. Proper development and fruiting are impossible without sufficient water and warmth. Insufficient moisture and improper watering can negatively impact the plant. Leaves and buds may fall from the bushes, flowering may stop, and the peppers themselves will be small and not juicy. Without proper and high-quality watering, don't expect a bountiful pepper harvest. The rules and schedule for watering peppers in a greenhouse and outdoors are almost the same. However, it's easier to maintain optimal humidity in a greenhouse, as water evaporates less quickly than outdoors. As a result, watering can be reduced. It's important to carefully monitor the soil moisture in the garden where peppers are planted. It's best to water bell peppers with warm, settled water, approximately 20°C-22°C. Pour the water into a bathtub or barrel beforehand.

Watering time

Peppers in a greenhouse can be watered both in the morning and in the evening. For plants planted outdoors, this procedure should only be performed when there is no scorching sun. However, much depends on the region where the vegetable is grown and the climate. In regions with hot summers, for example, in the Volgograd, Rostov, and Astrakhan regions, and the Krasnodar Territory, it is recommended to water peppers in the evening.

When growing peppers in areas with cool summers, the best time to water is in the morning. If you water in the evening, the cool nights and lower nighttime temperatures will cause the soil to become damp. This will lead to the development of fungal diseases. These regions include:

• Siberia;
• Ural;
• Leningrad region;
• Moscow region.

Frequency and technique of watering

Bell peppers grown outdoors need to be watered frequently. The frequency depends on the weather. If it's hot outside, frequent watering is recommended. In extreme heat, plants need daily watering. In cool and cloudy weather, once every 2-3 days is sufficient. If heavy rain is expected or occurring, it's recommended to postpone this task, as excess moisture will damage the plants. The amount of water needed depends on the plant's developmental stage.

Peppers should be watered at the very roots. Avoid getting water on the leaves, trunk, and buds. Drip irrigation, which involves applying water in small amounts and frequently, has a positive effect on peppers. Ready-made systems are available at garden centers. Drip irrigation can be set up using plastic bottles (2.5 liters).

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Features of watering

Watering peppers growing in the garden is quite simple; you just need to follow a few tips. The soil should be evenly saturated after watering. Water should penetrate to a depth of 60-70 cm. Avoid over-watering the soil around the plant; it's recommended to create a depression near the plant. This will allow the water to reach the roots more quickly, rather than run off elsewhere.

It is recommended to find the right watering method, which can be:

• auto;
• manual;
• mechanical.

Avoid over-watering the soil. This can lead to root diseases, such as rot. Slugs thrive in over-watered soil, which feed on the plants. However, avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely.

In the heat

Peppers' root systems don't extend very deep into the soil. If the weather is hot, moisture evaporates quickly. The plant itself begins to absorb it intensively. If the plant lacks moisture, the stems and roots harden, the flowers fall off, and the fruit production decreases. During extreme heat, pour 1 to 3 liters of water under each plant daily. Avoid watering during the day, as there's a risk of sunburn. Before planting, water the peppers generously with room-temperature water. This will reduce the risk of disease and promote faster growth.

During planting and flowering

It's best to plant pepper seedlings on a cloudy day. Before planting, pour plenty of water into the holes. Once the water has soaked in, the plants are ready to plant. Do not water the seedlings for five days after planting. After planting and until flowers form, water the peppers once a week. This can be done with a watering can or sprinkler. If the water level is insufficient, adjust the amount. Water one side of the plant and loosen the soil on the other. Switch sides the next time. This approach promotes even root growth.

Flowering and fruiting peppers require root watering. This should be done twice a week. Approximately 1 m² You'll need 11 liters of water. If you have to water once a week, you can use 1 m² Pour out 16 liters. The water should be at a temperature of 26°C. Using very cold water will cause the peppers to stop growing and the fruit to fail to set.

During the fruit-setting period, the plant should be watered once every 2-3 days. Approximately 3 liters of water are used per bush, and if the plants grow large, the amount can be increased to 5 liters.

Irrigation methods

Manual watering is considered the simplest method of watering the soil. However, watering bell peppers in a polycarbonate greenhouse, as with any other material, is not particularly convenient. Hoses, watering cans, and buckets are required. The mechanical method, while more convenient, is somewhat complicated. For example, it requires adjusting the pressure and ensuring a constant supply of water to the irrigation system. To water with warm water, you need a container to heat it.

An automatic system consists of pipes and reservoirs connected to each other and equipped with special sensors. The latter are designed to measure soil and air humidity. After special adjustments and programming, the system will know the timing and volume of water needed. No human intervention is required in the automatic irrigation system. Today, this method is often used to water plants growing in remote areas. For an automatic system to function, specialized equipment, a substantial supply of continuously replenished water, and an uninterrupted power supply are required. Pipes must be properly routed to the areas where the plants will be growing. Water can come from:

• wells;
• water supply systems;
• well.

Pipes are laid both underground and above ground. There is a semi-automated irrigation system, which uses mechanisms and cannot function without human intervention. A combined irrigation system operates both manually and automatically. It is recommended for:

• very weak, insufficient automatic watering pressure;
• power outages;
• growing different varieties of peppers, which require different approaches to watering procedures.

A drip system, which includes special drippers connected by a hose, has proven itself effective. It can be used to water and fertilize peppers.

Combination of watering and fertilization

It's recommended to add fertilizer along with water instead of a full, primary watering. This can be done once every 14-30 days, depending on the type of fertilizer. In the spring, use fertilizers whose main component is nitrogen. These promote seedling growth and development. In the fall, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to the soil.

Wood ash is considered a good fertilizer. It is applied alternately with other nutrient solutions. 150 g of ash is needed per square meter. For healthy growth and development, vegetables should be fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers should be applied as they begin to actively grow. A balanced fertilizer contains:

• 5 g superphosphate;
• 10 g urea;
• 10 liters of water.

Water the bushes with the prepared solution, using 0.5 liters per bush. Nettle tea is considered a good watering and fertilizer. Fill a bucket 2/3 full with nettles, add boiling water, and let it sit for a week. Then strain the solution and dilute with water. A properly prepared fertilizer tastes like weakly brewed tea.

Watering peppers in a polycarbonate greenhouse

The material the greenhouse is made of affects the care of the plants. Polycarbonate is currently the most popular. Constructions made from it differ in:

• strength;
• excellent light transmittance;
• excellent thermal insulation.

Bell peppers in a polycarbonate greenhouse don't need frequent watering. Approximately 10 liters of water will be needed for 20 seedlings. The greenhouse should be regularly ventilated to regulate humidity. The best time to water vegetables planted in a polycarbonate greenhouse is in the evening. Afterward, the greenhouse should be opened for an hour to allow air to circulate.

During the pepper ripening period, specifically 14 days before harvest, do not water the plants. This will reduce the amount of water, and they will ripen faster. Experienced gardeners advise against growing sweet and red peppers in the same room. hot pepper, because they will eventually become bitter. If you water bell peppers properly in a polycarbonate greenhouse and follow the care recommendations of specialists, a full harvest is guaranteed.

Watering peppers in a greenhouse under film

Proper plant development is impossible without regular, moderate watering. Regularly overwatering the bushes will cause mold and rot. Seedlings are planted in soil with a temperature of at least 15°C. They should be planted in pre-drilled holes, each filled with 2 liters of water. Afterwards, they are watered again at the very roots.

Peppers grown under plastic in a greenhouse require regular watering throughout the growing season, except during harvest. Some gardeners believe that this approach ensures that flowers continue to appear, indicating a new harvest is in order.

Gardeners' Tips

Experienced farmers recommend watering peppers with warm, settled water. If tap water is the only available option, let it sit for 24 hours. Hard water can be softened with wood ash. You'll need 0.5 cups of powder per bucket. Plants respond well to melted snow and rainwater at a temperature of 22-23°C. If plant growth is slow or stunted, it's a good idea to add organic and mineral fertilizers to the water. Diluted fresh manure is considered an excellent fertilizer. A working solution is prepared by mixing 1 part cow manure with 10 parts water. Make furrows between the plants and pour the prepared solution into them.

Pepper plants need to be supported because their shoots are fragile, and if the fruits grow large and fleshy, they will break. Plants can also die if they are not watered properly. Irrigation is best done through plastic pipes installed along the length of the beds. This approach allows for more efficient use of water, which reaches the roots directly. Sandy soil will require frequent watering.

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Every gardener can grow good sweet peppers. To do so, they need to understand the proper care for the plant. Proper watering and fertilization are crucial. A lack of moisture negatively impacts fruiting, resulting in unsightly, small, and tasteless peppers with thin walls.