I'm so new the greenhouse hasn't reached me yet, but I was wondering and forgive me if this sounds silly, but at the end of summer do I drag my peppers inside (I use containers) and let them do whatever or do I plant new seeds end of summer for fall/winter fruits?

Welcome to NGA, MrL and congratulations on your new greenhouse! You can indeed drag those peppers inside when the weather turns against them, and probably keep them producing for a while longer. But be aware that, unless you are very diligent, you will very likely also bring in unwanted travelers. Every time I try to overwinter anything that's been outside, I end up with an infestation of aphids and whiteflies. And you'll need to provide extra lighting and heat. Which can get a lot more expensive than the cost of a few seed packets next year. However, others may have a different experience and have better suggestions. Greenhouses can be a lot of fun, though and we do have a forum just for Greenhouse growing. If you haven't seen it yet, you might enjoy browsing the threads: http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Thanks. Might be better to start fresh next year.

Hi MrL! Welcome to NGA. And to greenhouse growing - I'm envious.

>> at the end of summer do I drag my peppers inside (I use containers) and let them do whatever or do I plant new seeds end of summer for fall/winter fruits?

Someone in Florida keeps super-hot pepper plants growing, or at least alive, year-round with a greenhouse, and sells the results. But he's in Zone 9a and you're 7b. That a difference of 15F in the average LOWEST temperature of the winter. But you probably care more about daylength (better in VA than FL?) and the average AVERAGE temperature of the winter.

Is that right, @cycadjungle? Would you advise trying to overwinter peppers in a greenhouse in Virginia? Or just extending the harvest that way?

http://www.seriouslyhotpeppers...

I'm not up on recent SF authors, but might I have heard your pen name? I'm kind of a Heinlein / Niven / Piper fan.

Hi MrL.

Peppers are perennials. I grow my peppers in the ground and in the fall, dig up my favorites and pot them to winter over in the greenhouse. Are you giving your greenhouse some supplimental heat? If so, the peppers will produce all winter. In the spring, I replant outside. My oldest pepper plant lasted about 7 years.

Around here, the peppers are just starting to produce when its too cold for them. If I didn't pot them up, I would never have a pepper.

Daisy

Depending on how many pots of peppers you want to winter-over, is it possible to set up a corner in the house with some grow lights and a little ventilation? That would give you a chance to see if you like the process before committing to a greenhouse. Woofies right about the unwanted travelers. I used to overwinter peppers (mainly ornamental) but I always had a problem with aphids and have since deemed peppers an aphid magnet. If you decide to over-winter your peppers indoors, you may want to look at a product like Azamax to control pests. It doesn't leave a harmful residue on something you'll want to eat.

This website has some detailed instructions for bring potted peppers in for the winter. Might be worth a read.
http://www.gardensalive.com/pr...

That was very interesting. I have never tried to keep peppers alive year round, even in zone 10.

In Zone 10 you wouldn't need to bring them.

They don't die, but like tomatoes, they stop producing.