Large-scale vegetable growers use long rows for efficiency but those of us with smaller plots can try other ideas. Here's a "pepper ring" plan that can make watering, feeding, and picking easy.
- You'll need one 5-gallon plastic bucket (some call them pickle buckets) for irrigation, plus an extra for watering/mixing fertilizer. For the "irrigation" bucket, drill a series of small holes around its side, about 1-2 inches up from the bottom and 1-2 inches apart.
- Clear and till (or loosen with a turning fork) a circle about 5-6 feet in diameter. Add any needed amendments depending on your soil's condition; you can also work in a time-release fertilizer at this time.
- Make a slight mound in the center of the circle and place your "irrigation" bucket on the mound. You can build a little ring of soil up on the outer edge of the circle or even dress it up with bricks or stones.
- Plant your peppers in a circle, about halfway between the bucket and the outer edge of the ring. Considering mature size of the plants, you can probably fit five or six.
- To water plants, fill your extra bucket and then pour the water into the irrigation bucket. The water will seep out the holes, run down the slightly mounded soil, and soak down to the roots of your plants. No more wasted water on leaves!
You could also water by letting a hose run into your irrigation bucket, but I like the water pressure I get by dumping a whole bucket-full in at once. Using the extra bucket also helps gauge water quantity and is great for mixing/adding water soluble fertilizers, compost tea, fish emulsion, etc. The same ring idea will also work for other shrubby vegetables like patio tomatoes. You can make irrigation buckets for each ring, or just move one irrigation bucket around.
Judy Heinrich, Smith County Master Gardener
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