Grower extends growing season with greenhouse peppers

Jeff Wilson of Patterson Farm in China Grove, N.C., is looking to extend the production season during the winter in one of his company’s idle greenhouses by growing peppers. The company has conducted extensive research and is working with a seed distributor to develop a production system for the crop. The company is growing two Rogers’ varieties, Fascinato (red) and Tenato (yellow).

The Salisbury Post reports that Wilson chose the red and yellow peppers because of their great demand. The newspaper said large colored bell peppers are retailing for nearly $4 per pound at local retail outlets.

Wilson planted the peppers in late August and has been taking plant tissue samples weekly to ensure crop success. Sterile bumble bees, which cost $2 each, are used to pollinate the plants.

Since the peppers are a new crop, Wilson told the paper he is unsure how long the plants will produce fruit. He has scheduled greenhouse tomatoes to be planted in February. Most of the peppers have been presold, but some will be marketed at the company’s retail market.