Plant spacing is determined by many factors. Producers hoping for higher yields could go to 6,000 plants per acre, with the rows oriented parallel to the prevailing wind to help in foliage drying. Only growers who plan on expending lots of time, energy, and fungicide should exceed 6,000 plants per acre, and then only with the Sweetheart or processor-supplied variety. Crowding induces taller, more easily broken plants, especially with the older varieties. Irrigation Peppers require approximately 1 inch of water per week, either from rain, stored moisture in the soil, or irrigation.
Water stress causes the plant to shed fruit or produce fruit with blossom end rot.
Higher populations of plants increase the need for water. There will be a time that peppers will suffer from lack of water under nonirrigated conditions, so consider irrigation as a cost, whether it is bought or not. Weed Control Roundup and Gramoxone are available for preplant burndown. Treflan and Dacthal are available for preemerge. Poast can be used for postemerge grass control.