If you're just starting out with your garden and want something fun, colorful, and rewarding to grow—look no further than peppers. Whether you’re craving a little spice or prefer something sweet and crunchy, peppers are beginner-friendly plants that offer big flavor and even bigger satisfaction. They're a staple in summer gardens and can thrive in both in-ground beds and containers.
In this third installment of our Guide to Growth series, we’re highlighting four of our favorite peppers that are easy to care for, highly productive, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Our Favorite Peppers
Jalapeño Pepper
Jalapeños are one of the easiest hot peppers to grow, making them perfect for gardeners who want a little spice in their harvest. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering, especially once they start fruiting. Jalapeños grow on compact plants that do well in the ground or containers and produce steadily all season. For a milder flavor, pick them when they’re still green; for more heat and sweetness, wait until they turn red. They're a great way to add zing to salsas, tacos, and homemade hot sauce.
Shishito Pepper
Shishitos are a mild, thin-skinned pepper that’s incredibly productive and fun to grow. They prefer warm weather, lots of sun, and consistently moist soil. These compact plants produce lots of small, wrinkly green peppers that are usually mild—though every once in a while, you’ll get a spicy one! They’re best harvested when 3–4 inches long and slightly glossy. Shishitos are perfect for blistering in a hot pan with oil and salt, and their ease of growing makes them a favorite for first-time gardeners who love to cook.
Mini Belle Snack Pepper
Mini Belles are adorable, sweet, and beginner-friendly peppers that grow on tidy, compact plants—great for small gardens or container setups. They like full sun and steady watering, especially once fruit starts to set. These bite-sized bells come in a variety of colors like red, yellow, and orange, and can be harvested when firm and vibrant. Their small size makes them perfect for snacking, stuffing, or tossing into salads, and the plants produce generously all season long.
Red Knight Bell Pepper
Red Knight Bell Peppers are known for their large, blocky fruit and rich, sweet flavor. These peppers start out green and ripen to a deep red, becoming sweeter as they mature. Red Knights grow well in full sun with consistent watering and benefit from staking if the fruit gets heavy. They’re perfect for slicing fresh, roasting, or stuffing, and the reliable, high yield makes them a great choice for new gardeners who want a colorful and tasty reward.
Tips for Pepper Success
Sunlight: Peppers love the sun—give them at least 6–8 hours of direct light daily.
Soil: Well-drained, nutrient-rich soil helps keep plants healthy and productive.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially when fruit starts forming.
Support: Bell peppers, especially heavy producers like Red Knight, may benefit from light staking.
What's Next?
We hope this post helps you feel confident adding peppers to your garden lineup! These plants are easy to grow, fun to harvest, and delicious to eat. If you missed our earlier posts on herbs and tomatoes, be sure to check those out too.
🌿 Stay tuned—next up in the Guide to Growth series, we’re talking other garden favorites that you’ll love!