And a new variety of red, hot pepper named Habanero is hailed as one of the hottest yet. Set plants in full sun about 18 inches apart. Because they are prone to several soil-borne diseases, plant them in a different part of the garden each summer. When peppers are ready to pick, harvest by cutting the fruit from the stem with scissors. The plants tend to be brittle.
Peppers require at least six hours of sun a day.
Both are excellent home- garden crops because they are quite easy to grow and prolific. Even at this late date, they can be grown from seeds, but plants are widely available. One planting method is to build small mounds or hills 5 inches or so tall and about 4 feet apart. Set out three plants per hill or sow half a dozen seeds and thin to the three most vigorous plants. You also may plant in rows 6 feet apart, with one squash plant every 2 feet.