Overwintering Pepper Plants: A Short Guide

I love growing peppers, but this is a pleasure I have to wait for until July at the earliest in Maryland, as it takes a lot of time for peppers to produce yield. You can save some time by overwintering pepper plants to preserve your most beloved pepper varieties and ensure an earlier head-start in the coming growing season. In this short guide, we'll explore the process of overwintering pepper plants, addressing common questions and offering gardening tips. By the end of this article, you'll be well-equipped to successfully overwinter your pepper plants.

What is Overwintering Pepper Plants?

Overwintering pepper plants involves protecting your outdoor peppers from harsh winter conditions by digging up the plant and replanting it in a pot stored in a place sufficiently warm to preserve your plant during the winter. This method allows gardeners to safeguard their plants while promoting healthy growth and future yields. As winter approaches, it's crucial to understand when to initiate the process and what steps are involved in the successful overwintering of in-ground pepper plants.

When to Start Overwintering Pepper Plants:

Begin the overwintering process when overnight temperatures consistently drop into the mid-40s Fahrenheit (~7°C). At this point, your pepper plants will show signs of stress, such as leaf drop and reduced growth.

How to Overwinter In-Ground Pepper Plants:

Overwintering pepper plants follows a straightforward process:

1.      Harvest and Prune: Start by harvesting any remaining peppers and pruning back branches, leaving a few nodes on the main stem for regrowth. You want to leave the chili plant bare so that it just has its original “Y” shape. I tend to cut just above the second Y shape, as on the photo below.

2.      Remove All Leaves: Strip the plant of its leaves to prevent pests from hiding. While this may seem drastic, the plant's roots and stem remain alive and capable of regrowth.

3.      Dig Up the Plant Delicately. With a spade, dig up the plant around its base, approximating to the size of the overwintering pot.

4.      Clean Soil and Trim Roots: Eliminate soil from the root ball to avoid pests and trim the roots to fit the size of the overwintering pot.

5.      Optional Insecticide Dunk: For added pest protection, soak the plant’s roots in a bucket of water with insecticidal soap for a few minutes.

6. Repot the plant in fresh soil. I also mulch the base with straw.

7.      Choose the Right Location: Place the plant in a suitable location with ambient light and a temperature range of 55-65°F (13-18°C).

Common Questions About Overwintering In-Ground Pepper Plants:

Here are answers to frequently asked questions:

1.      Fertilization: Minimal or no fertilization is necessary. Nutrient-rich potting soil should suffice.

2.      Watering: Water sparingly, typically every 3-4 weeks plants. Larger pots can go longer between waterings.

3.      Light Requirements: Your peppers will do better with natural light, so let them stand near a window, which does not need to be facing South. If overwintering in a windowless area, provide two to three few hours of grow light daily.

How to Prepare for Replanting Outside

About a month before your last frost date, bring your pepper plants out of the cool location they are stored in, and move them to a brighter, warmer spot, ideally a South facing window. Eventually, heat up the plant using a heating pad. Resume watering, but make sure not to over-water. You should start seeing new growth within a week. As the days lengthen and outside temperatures warm, increase watering. Harden off your peppers by moving your plants outside to partial shade, increasing fifteen-minute increments for about a week. Fertilize with a bit of worm casings and organic fertilizer. Prepare a place in the garden with full sun and move the plants after all danger of frost has passed in your area. Et voilà.

Overwintering pepper plants is a valuable practice for preserving your pepper varieties and ensuring a successful harvest in the next growing season. By adhering to the recommended steps and addressing common concerns, you can safeguard your pepper plants through the winter months, setting the stage for a vibrant and productive spring harvest. Master this technique, and your pepper plants will thank you with early and robust yields year after year.