Question
what type of soil is best for growing jalapeno peppers? I live in southern California.

Answer
Vic, peppers like a soil rich in nutrients with good drainage and a neutral ph level of 7.0.

The best advice I can give you is to add as much organic materials to the soil as possible. These would include compost, peat, and aged manure. Soils rich in organic matter provide a constant source of nutrients, improve the tilth of the soil for strong root growth, and improve drainage.

If you are not sure what level the ph level is, you can purchase a ph meter meter at your local gardening store. These are fairly inexpensive and very accurate. If the soil is below 6.5, which is on the acidic level, you need to add lime to sweeten the soil. If, on the other hand, the soil is above 7.5, which indicates an excess alkaline concentration, you can add sulfur to the soil. The great thing about organically treated soil is that is seldom deviates above or below the neutral level of 7.0 recommended for most vegetables and flowers.

Attached are two great websites for soil preparation in the home garden. I hope you find these beneficial.

http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/garden3.asp

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-313/426-313.html

Finally, be sure to mulch the peppers with 2"-3" of straw or dried grass clippings to hold in moisture and cool the soil. This is an extremely important step in vegetable gardening that most new gardeners neglect.

Good luck, and feel free to write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike