Planting

Bell Peppers

Planting Time Bell peppers prefer warm soil and warm days, so plant them after frost has packed up and left town. Start seeds indoors eight to ten weeks ahead of time and transplant them outdoors once nighttime temperatures stay above fifty-five degrees. Bell peppers are like southern porch sitters; they want warmth, comfort, and zero surprises from the weather.

Depth & Spacing Transplant seedlings at the same depth as their starter pots and space them eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. Bell peppers need room to stretch and bulk up. Crowding them is like asking three linebackers to squeeze into a compact car. Give them breathing room and they will fill out with big, blocky peppers all season.

Soil & Fertilization Bells thrive in rich, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Go easy on nitrogen because too much will grow giant leaves and hardly any fruit. A balanced fertilizer or compost blend keeps peppers productive and flavorful. Healthy soil gives you thick walled, juicy peppers with a satisfying crunch.

Watering Needs Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Bell peppers do not like to dry out completely or sit in mud. Think steady watering with just enough time in between for the topsoil to dry slightly. Mulch helps hold moisture and keeps weeds from sneaking in like uninvited cousins at a family reunion.

Sunlight Requirements Bell peppers need full sun, soaking up at least six to eight hours daily. The more sunshine they get, the bigger and sweeter they become. Shade them and you will leave you with small fruits and slow growth, kind of like trying to barbecue with a flashlight instead of sunlight.

Harvesting Harvest bells when they reach full size and are firm and glossy. Green peppers are unripe but tasty. Letting them mature to red, yellow, or orange sweetens them up and boosts vitamin C. Snip peppers off with scissors to avoid breaking branches. Bell pepper plants can be drama queens if handled roughly.

Captain Greenhouse Tip If you want peppers that will make your county fair produce competition, give them a little afternoon shade during extreme heat. Peppers shut down when the thermometer jumps too high, just like a cowboy taking refuge under the nearest tree. Keep them cool, keep them watered, and they will reward you with sweet, crisp peppers all summer long.