The gear I actually use
Every item on this page lives in my grow space or my kitchen. I bought most of it myself, I use all of it, and I tell you when the cheap option beats the fancy one.
Some links here are affiliate links. Buy through them and the shop pays me a small commission while your price stays the same. It keeps the lights on, literally, they power my grow lamps.
Starting seeds
Germination rewards warmth and patience more than money.
[Heat mat brand and model]. Cheap insurance for stubborn seeds, it holds the soil at the steady warmth superhots demand. [Link]
Lighting
A windowsill grows leggy seedlings. A cheap light grows strong ones.
[Grow light brand and model]. Enough output for a full tray without cooking your power bill. [Link]
Pots and soil
Peppers forgive a lot if their roots can breathe.
[Fabric pot brand and size]. Roots prune themselves against the fabric, so plants stay compact and happy on a small patio. [Link]
Harvest and kitchen
The fun part deserves decent tools.
[Kitchen item]. [Why it earns counter space.] [Link]
Fermenting
Fermented sauce beats fresh sauce, and the kit costs less than two bottles of the good stuff.
[Fermentation kit or airlock lids]. Keeps the brine happy and the mould out while your sauce develops. [Link]
Questions about growing gear
What gear do you need to start growing peppers?
Honestly, a seed tray, seed compost, and a warm bright spot. A heat mat and a small grow light are the two upgrades that pay for themselves fastest.
Are heat mats worth it for pepper seeds?
For superhots, yes without question. They hold the soil at the steady warmth stubborn seeds demand. Jalapeños will usually sprout without one in a warm room.
Do I need a grow light to start seeds indoors?
If you have a truly sunny window you can get by, but a cheap LED light grows noticeably stronger seedlings and removes the biggest beginner failure, leggy plants.