How does container spacing differ from garden beds?

Container pepper gardening has a different method of spacing than that of the typical garden bed. Since space in a normal garden bed refers to the space between roots, space with containers is determined by the distance between pots. I learned this one year when my container peppers developed tangled roots and disease from being too close to the wall. Proper spacing with containers will eliminate this problem.

Keep your pots at least 18 to 24 inches apart from each other. If foliage makes contact or roots become entangled, numerous problems may ensue between them. The roots grow laterally to chase nutrients and may invade adjacent pots. I always carry a tape measure to designate distance when setting my pots. These distances will create an air space between the plants sufficient to prevent the fungal diseases so common in moist, sultry weather.

Choose pots tailored to variety. Small peppers, such as those in a 5-gallon bucket, require a smaller grow bag, while larger habaneros need a 10-gallon grow bag. I label pots with the variety and the date they were planted. This prevents too many plants from growing in one pot.

As plants develop, ensure proper spacing is maintained. Branches may reach beyond the lip of the containers. Any foliage that overhangs into the aisles should be pruned weekly. I take a pair of garden scissors and trim back any foliage that overlaps with adjacent plants. This preserves air space and minimizes the pest movement between containers.

Container spacing provides flexibility and movement during severe weather conditions. I will often move pots closer together in cooler springs to share warmth among them. Conversely, I spread them farther apart during the summer heat. This allows more efficient plant protection than would be possible if fixed in, say, a garden bed.

Read the full article: Pepper Plant Spacing Simplified