Pepper plants like heat, but they need moist soil. Water your sweet pepper plants several times a week throughout the summer. Daily watering may be necessary during particularly dry, hot spells. You can help keep the soil moist by mulching it with grass clippings. Water near the roots, rather than showering the water from overhead. This prevents the leaves from getting burned by the sun. Water in the morning, rather than at night. This way the water will be absorbed during the day. Watering at night leaves the plants prone to mold growth. This will help the plants produce large, healthy peppers. Hoe around the plants to keep weeds away. Be careful and do not hoe too deeply, or you may cut into the roots of your pepper plants. You may also pull the weeds by hand. Be sure to discard the weeds in a separate area so they don't drop seeds and grow back. Pepper plants are susceptible to aphids and flea beetles. If you see pests on your plants, pick them off and drop them in a pail of soapy water. You can also spray them off using a strong stream from your garden hose. As a last resort, spray your plants with pesticides, making sure they're safe for use on vegetables. If you're dealing with a big pest problem, you can cuff the plants. Arrange a piece of cardboard in a circular fashion around the stem of each plant. Make sure the cardboard sticks into the soil about an inch deep, and rises up several inches. This will prevent insects from climbing up the stems. Place a garden stake next to the main stem and fasten the stem to it loosely with twine. This will help the plant grow upright and keep the peppers from growing against the ground. The peppers are ready to cut when they're bright and color and look fully ripe. When the peppers have reached the correct shape, color and size, harvest them by cutting them off with a knife. The plant will now be free to produce new fruit.

Summary: Keep the soil moist. Fertilize the plants after they fruit. Weed the pepper plants often. Monitor the plants for pests. Stake the plants if they get heavy. Pull or cut the peppers off when they mature.

Follow the guidelines of a job description for an open position you'd like to apply for. Submit a well-written and formatted resume and a cover letter that illustrates why you want this specific job and why you would be the best fit for it. Send in a digital or physical copy of your portfolio. For any newspaper you'd like to work for, read back issues or check their website to see the kind of stories they typically write and the style of photography they're used to. Try to show some of your work that most reflects their style, but be true to your own style too, and don't be afraid to surprise them with something they haven't seen before. Be on time for an interview if you're asked to come into the newspaper offices for a job interview. Be prepared for the interview by dressing professionally, being prepared to answer common questions about your photography work and experience, and have questions prepared for the newspaper staff. Even if you don't land your ideal job at your first-choice newspaper, stick to your goal. Keep checking job listing sites and talking to other photographers and journalists to make connections and be the first to know about new opportunities. Simply keep visiting editors to show them new images as you have them, especially if you know a photographer of theirs is leaving soon.
Summary: Apply with a resume, portfolio, and cover letter. Research the newspaper. Interview and meet the staff. Be persistent.