Hot Peppers, Cool Climate

I LOVE THE FIERY KICK of hot peppers like cayennes, jalapeños and habaneros, but they can be a challenge to grow in my northern garden, where summers can be short. Over the years, I’ve found a few tricks to help these heat-loving plants establish quickly in spring and get a headstart on the growing season.

First, pre-warm the soil. Warm-season crops like hot peppers, eggplants and melons grow