Although green roofs offer an alternative growing space to produce fresh edibles for urban consumers, sufficient fertility levels are often lacking in mediums used for extensive green roof applications which can limit plant growth. Therefore, a study was conducted during the 2024 growing season to evaluate fertilizer and mulch use for ‘Candy Cane’ peppers grown in the extensive green roof environment located atop the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Agriculture Building. Growth characteristics were collected during early-, mid-, and late-season, while fruit were harvested approximately every four weeks (six times total) throughout the growing season. Fertilizer rate and mulch application interactions did not generally influence (P > 0.05) leaf chlorophyll content or plant vigor at any timing. Marketable fruit yields were also not influenced (P > 0.05) by either fertilizer rate or mulch use. These results suggest that the low rate of fertilizer used was sufficient and mulch use is not required to maximize ‘Candy Cane’ pepper growth and yields. Our results indicate that peppers can be grown effectively in extensive green roof environments with proper water and nutrient management.
