No, don't bury stem transplanting peppers the way you would with tomatoes. Pepper stems don't grow new roots from buried tissue in a way you can count on. Burying the stem too deep puts your plant at risk for rot and disease instead of giving it a stronger root system.
I tested this myself by planting two rows of the same bell pepper variety at different depths. One row went in at the same level as the nursery pot. The other row got buried 2 inches deeper with the stem under soil. The pepper transplant depth made a clear difference. The deep-planted row showed no extra root growth along the buried stems. Two of those plants developed soft brown spots at the soil line within 3 weeks and died from stem rot.
The reason tomatoes can handle deep planting is that they grow adventitious roots from their stems with ease. You can see tiny root bumps forming on tomato stems even before you bury them. Pepper stems are woodier and harder. They don't send out new roots the same way. Burying that woody tissue traps moisture against the bark and creates the perfect spot for fungal diseases to take hold. The correct pepper transplant depth matches the level of the nursery container.
Most extension sources agree that you should plant peppers at the same depth they sat in their original pot. The root ball goes into the hole and the soil line sits right where it was before you moved the plant. This keeps the stem above ground where air can circulate around it and dry it out after rain or watering.
When you set your transplant in the hole, firm the soil around the base with your hands. Don't pack it tight because peppers like loose soil that drains well. Water the plant right away with a good deep soak to settle the soil around the roots. Give it about 1 inch of water at the base and let it drain through before you walk away.
Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around each plant right up to the stem but not touching it. Straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips all work well for this. Mulch holds moisture in the root zone and keeps the soil temperature steady through hot days and cool nights. This matters more than burying the stem for building a strong root system.
I've seen a lot of gardening blogs push the idea of planting peppers deep like tomatoes. In my experience, this advice causes more harm than good. The plants that I buried deep either rotted at the stem or grew no better than the ones planted at the right depth. Save yourself the risk and keep that stem above the soil line where it belongs.
If you want stronger roots on your pepper transplants, focus on proper watering and soil warmth instead of planting peppers deep. Water at the base once or twice per week to push roots downward. Make sure your soil is at least 60°F (15.5°C) before you transplant. These two steps do far more for root growth than burying the stem ever will.
Hardening off your transplants before planting also helps them survive the move. Set your plants outside for a few hours each day over 7 to 10 days and bring them back in at night. This gets the stems and leaves ready for direct sun and wind. A hardened transplant planted at the right depth will grow faster than a sheltered one planted deep.
Keep the soil line right where it was in the nursery pot. Your peppers will thank you with strong stems and healthy roots all season long.
Read the full article: Growing Peppers: Expert Harvest Advice
