Growing Guide
Quick, practical notes for our usual lineup (peppers, tomatoes, salsa pack, and watermelon) — tuned for Midwest gardens. Adjust for your zone and microclimate.
Seed-starting timeline
Peppers (hot & superhot)
- Start indoors: 8–12 weeks before last frost
- Germination: 75–85°F (heat mat helps a lot)
- Transplant: after nights are consistently ≥ 55°F
Tomatoes
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost
- Germination: 70–80°F
- Transplant: after frost danger is past
Watermelon
- Start indoors: 2–4 weeks before last frost (or direct sow when soil is warm)
- Germination: 75–90°F
- Plant out: when soil is ≥ 70°F and nights are warm
Hardening off
- 7–10 days: start in shade, then increase sun + wind exposure daily
- Protect from cold snaps; young plants hate 40s°F and wind
Germination checklist (don’t overthink it)
- Use a seed-starting mix (light, sterile-ish). Pre-moisten it like a wrung sponge.
- Sow ~¼ inch deep. Label trays like your life depends on it.
- Cover with a humidity dome or plastic wrap until sprouts appear.
- Heat is the secret sauce (especially peppers). Target temps above.
- As soon as seedlings emerge: remove dome, give bright light 14–16 hours/day.
- Water from the bottom when possible. Keep evenly moist, not swampy.
Pepper seeds can take 7–21+ days depending on variety and temp. If you’re at 68°F, you’re basically asking them to nap.
Transplanting & spacing
| Crop | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 18–24 in | Stake/trellis if you get heavy pods; mulch once soil warms |
| Tomatoes | 24–36 in | Bury deep (remove lower leaves); cage early |
| Watermelon | 36–72 in | Give vines room; black plastic can help warm soil |
Feeding & watering
- Early: light fertilizer once true leaves appear (too much N = big leaves, weak roots).
- Outdoors: deep water 1–2x/week instead of daily sips. Mulch to smooth swings.
- Containers: expect more frequent watering; add slow-release + occasional liquid feed.
Common issues
Leggy seedlings
- Light is too weak or too far away. Move it closer.
- Cooler temps after sprouting help stocky growth (without chilling them).
Damping off
- Too wet + no airflow. Back off water and add a gentle fan.
- Use clean trays and fresh mix.
Salsa Pack notes
The Salsa Pack is built for flavor balance: fresh pico, salsas, and jars that disappear. Give peppers heat, give tomatoes sun, and harvest often.
- Peppers are happiest when nights stay warm.
- Tomatoes: prune lightly for airflow if you’re humid.
- Keep soil evenly moist to reduce blossom-end rot.
Seed storage
- Cool, dark, dry. A sealed jar + desiccant pack is excellent.
- Label with year + variety. Your future self will thank you.
Questions? Email orders@spellmanservices.com.