Slow growing Peppers

by Sandy
(St. Petersburg, FL)

I planted two barrel gardens this August. I live in Florida where the growing season is pretty much year round but still tried to match the seasons with the right plants. I have two peppers in a barrel with two basil plants and a sage plant. The basil and sage look and taste wonderful. I used potting mix as the substrate. We have been getting pretty consistent rain so I have only been watering once a week with vegetable food and as needed. By my calculations, I should be harvesting already but I only have tiny little pepperlings and plenty of flowers. What's wrong? The garden down the way has peppers the size of my fist. What can I expect for this season?