Looks like some nice bottom land, I'm envious. On the other hand, I can't imagine planting 400 plants! My back would give out before I'd done 40. hope you have a great year.

Tom

Yah, holy crap. I am guessing you sell at a farmers market or something like that. What varieties are you growing there?
Bruce

Congo,Brown Butt Jolokia,Red Butt Jolokia,Peach Butt jolokia,Red Trinidad Scorpion,Brown Trinidad Scorpion,Yellow Trinidad Scorpion,Green Trinidad Scorpion,7 Pod Large,7Pod Primo,7Pod Douglah,Butch T Scorpoin,Chocolite Moruga Scorpion,Cumari,Black Naga.
There is a farm stand in front of the property. Lots of heat for everyone this year.
I grow Ancho, Jalapeno , Cherry ,Wax , and others at a different location

400?? Is that all? Lightweight! J/k ;)

Looks awesome Dave! Just mulch in between the rows or what?

Kevin

Nice truck patch. See that you wore out the front of yer PU and have the bed for a future trailer to haul all the produce away... ;-)

Nice looking field! Hopefully an awesome harvest!

Stoney

I like using straw as mulch. A lot of people I know use plastic and till up small peaces for years to come,plus you cant add amenities like compost through it. Straw keeps down weeds, saves water, keeps roots cool in hot weather,and tills in as added compost for the next year. A win win for any garden.

Oh I agree about organic mulches. Totally a win-win. I think you misunderstood me though -- Is mulch the only thing that you're putting in between those WIDE rows? Looks like you have space for other veggies/herbs/flowers.

Kevin

Later in the season Ill be crawling under my plants to pick peppers. They actually might be too close.

Later in the season Ill be crawling between rows to pick peppers. They might be too close to each other then they could be for maximum harvest.I will post updates. I expect knee high plants by July and 4-6 ft by the middle of August if everything goes like years past.After 30 years of doing this you get a feel for it. Giving plants room is all part of it.

Last year I had around 150 and it was more than I ever want to do again unless I'm able to somehow make money off of them. I cut WAY back this year lol.

Damn dude, thats alot of peppers! Hope you treated yourself to a cold one after all of that work! Keep the pics coming, and good luck with your field.

Dave, I take it you are not located in California. If you were, I am sure there would be fire trucks surrounding that garden with all that heat scattered all over.

Hats off to you, I could never imagine planting that many plants!!! My back was killing me after I put 16 into pots :/

Jay

Just curious how far apart the plants are in the rows. I am working on something similar. Somewhere between 200 and 300 plants. I am also wondering what you are going to use for fertilizer and water.

Spacing in the row, I would say 12" to 24" if land is scarce. Probably Dave does it wider than that.

I like to plant 24in apart with my rows 4ft apart. I doubled up the first row just for room and to see the difference in production between single and double rows. For fertilizer I use PlantTone [ORGANIC] ,my plot was limed last fall. For water there is a well with sprinklers but I would like to switch to drip tape as a friend has a few rolls laying around, just need a regulator to drop pressure to 10lbs. Have not had to water yet , it rained good right after planting, the next day and more expected today

Quote: Congo,Brown Butt Jolokia,Red Butt Jolokia,Peach Butt jolokia,Red Trinidad Scorpion,Brown Trinidad Scorpion,Yellow Trinidad Scorpion,Green Trinidad Scorpion,7 Pod Large,7Pod Primo,7Pod Douglah,Butch T Scorpoin,Chocolite Moruga Scorpion,Cumari,Black Naga.

Flail!

That is my list. Lets hope we dont have a Hurricane this year, Im on an island Sandy made landfall just North of hear. Picked the last of my peppers 2 days before. Still had a good year. Time to see what summer brings besides tourists coming out of the walls. My peppers are my only escape besides fishing.