Bell Peppers
- Germination Days: 14-21
- Planting Depth:1/2”
- Plant Spacing:12”
- Row Spacing:24”
- Growth Habit:upright
- Soil Preference:moist, 6.5-7 pH
- Temp Preference:warm
- Light Preference:full sun, or partial shade in warmer climates
- Days to Maturity:75
Planting
- Recommended to start seeds indoors rather than in the garden.
- The soil temperature must be at least 70°F for seed germination, so keep them in a warm area for the best results. Use a heat pad under the seed tray, if necessary.
- Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep.
- Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost date.
- Bell peppers require a fairly long growing season (60 to 90 days), so it’s best to get them started indoors.
- Bell Pepper plants require full sun to produce the largest and healthiest fruit, so pick a site that won’t get shaded out by trees or other garden plants.
- Soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter.
- A soil consistency somewhere between sandy and loamy will ensure that the soil drains well and warms quickly.
- Soil pH should be slightly on the acidic side, 5.5 to 6.5 ideally.
- A week before transplanting peppers into the garden, introduce fertilizer or aged compost into your garden soil.
- Avoid planting peppers in places where you’ve recently grown other members of the nightshade family such as tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants as this can expose peppers to disease.
Transplanting
- Begin to harden off plants about 10 days before transplanting outdoors.
- Once nighttime temperatures reach at least 60°F, transplant seedlings outdoors, space them 18” to 24” apart.
- Plant the transplants no deeper than they were already; otherwise, the stems may become susceptible to rot.
- Soil temperature should be at least 65°F, as peppers will not survive transplanting at temps any colder. Northern gardeners can warm up the soil by covering it with black plastic.
Care
- Soil should be well drained, but be sure to maintain adequate moisture either with mulch or plastic covering.
- Water one to two inches per week, but remember that peppers are extremely heat sensitive. If you live in a warm or desert climate, watering everyday may be necessary.
- Fertilize after the first fruit set. Peppers love fish emulsion, consider feeding once every two weeks.
- Weed carefully around plants to avoid disturbing roots.
- If necessary, support plants with cages or stakes to prevent bending. Try commercially available cone-shaped wire tomato cages.