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Warm temperatures are expected throughout the week with highs in the 60’s which may have you thinking about preparing and planting backyard gardens.

Peppers are one vegetable, whether hot or sweet, that are easily grown in Iowa. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists advise that peppers are a warm-season crop and should be planted after the danger of frost is past, in southern Iowa this is early May. Bell peppers and hot peppers perform best in well-drained soils in full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Commonly grown types in Iowa include Anaheim, cayenne, cherry, habanero, jalapeno, and Hungarian wax. Bell pepper cultivars that are recommended include Alliance, Big Bertha, King Arthur, and California Wonder, and all of those turn from green to red at maturity. Early Sunsation peppers turn from green to yellow at maturity.