Bell peppers are a popular sweet pepper. They are easy to grow. It only takes eight to ten plants to provide enough peppers for a family.
Seeds or Transplants
Because most people only grow a few bell pepper plants, it is easier to buy transplants and plant them. The advantage of this is you don’t have to nurse the seedlings along and they are already hardened off. The disadvantage is that nurseries usually only stock the most popular types of bell peppers. Get plants that are up to a foot tall and have stems the width of a pencil.
If you want an unusual variety, you will have to buy the seeds. Renee’s Garden has a nice selection of seeds. Start bell peppers eight weeks before your average last frost date so you can transplant them after all danger of frost has passed.
Planting Your Peppers
Peppers need to be 18 inches apart. The rows should be 36 inches apart. More space gives the air room to circulate and dry the leaves, reducing the chances a fungal disease will take hold.
Growing Conditions
Bell peppers are not too particular about their growing conditions. Here is what they need to grow best.
Soil
Well-drained soil is a must. Wet roots will rot. Work plenty of compost into the soil before planting the peppers. Do not use uncomposted manures as they may spread disease.
Sunlight
Bell peppers need at least six hours of sunlight. In hot climates, they appreciate some afternoon shade.
Water
Water the bell pepper plants when you plant them. Give them frequent water the first week. After that, they need an inch of water a week. Water all at once so the water soaks in deep and encourages long roots.
Fertilizer
The best way to know what fertilizer to use is to have a soil test. In the absence of a soil test, use a fertilizer like a 10-10-10. Just before you plant your peppers, work the fertilizer into the top two to three inches of the soil. When the first peppers appear, fertilize again by placing two tablespoons of fertilizer about six inches from the plant. Water the fertilizer in.
Controlling Weeds
Weeds steal water, nutrients, and sunlight from your pepper plants. Pull weeds out as soon as you see them. Do not hoe the weeds out as peppers have shallow root systems that are easily damaged.
Mulch
Mulch helps control weeds. A three-inch layer of mulch will keep most weeds from growing. However, your mulch works hard. It absorbs water when it rains or you irrigate and releases it gradually into the soil. Mulch keeps the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Just make sure the mulch doesn’t actually touch the pepper plant. You just need a small gap between the mulch and the plant.
Harvest
Bell peppers are ready when they are large and dark green. If left on the vine, many will turn yellow, orange, or red. These are still good to eat, but birds are more inclined to bother them after they turn colors.
Storage
Bell peppers will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days. They can also be frozen, canned, or pickled.
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