It can take quite awhile to grow a pepper plant from seed to outdoor transplanting stage. 12 to 16 weeks, which can include up to three weeks for the seeds to germinate. But we can help you speed up that process considerably with pepper seed germination tips from our favorite retired horticulture professor, Debbie Flower. 
We start a new segment on this show today: the Plant of the Week. And for that we will turn to one of the most knowledgeable  horticulturists in the world, Warren Roberts of the UC Davis Arboretum. 
And, we talk blackberries: how to grow them, how to trellis them (more info about trellising blackberries in the links below)

Find out about all this, on Episode 71 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes.

Links:
Farmer Fred Rant: Tips for Speeding Up Pepper Seed Germination
Seed starting kits
Seed starting soil mixes
UC Davis Arboretum
UCANR: All About Blackberries
UCANR: What Kind of Trellis System Do Blackberries Require?
UCANR: Growing Berries and Grapes in the Home Garden (including lots of trellis pics)

More episodes and info available at Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

Garden Basics comes out every Friday during November through January. We’ll be back to a twice a week schedule in February.  More info including live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred. Please subscribe, and, if you are listening on Apple, please leave a comment or rating. That helps us decide which garden topics you would like to see addressed.

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