Plant: Bell Peppers

Garden Prep Pointers: 

*Select full sun location where these plants have NOT been planted within the past 24months: Tomatoes, Peppers, Raspberries.

*Till soil thoroughly, mix in 15-15-15, or organic fertilizer (amount specified on package).

*Plan to plant any hot peppers as far away as possible as cross-pollination may spice up bell peppers or mellow out hot peppers.

Planting Season: 

*Seeds: Start indoors mid-late March under grow-lights

*Transplants: Plant outside May 15^th – June 15^th (May 15^th is best)

Plant Selection Tips: 

*Healthy, fruit and blossom free transplants from a garden center are best, opposed to starting seedlings

*Choose bushy plants, with dark green color. 

*Choose plants with larger pots (representing greater root growth and a healthier plant)

Planting Guide:

*Plant 18-24” apart

*Planting on a hill (mound) is optional

*Planting through black plastic sheet helps warm soil and prevent weeds    without additional labor or chemicals

Planting Notes: 

* Plant top of root system even with soil surface.

*Water thoroughly

Upkeep:

*After planting, avoid fertilizing again until fruit set.  Upon fruit set begin fertilizing with liquid fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks until end of season.

*Water daily, plastic mulch helps retain moisture in soil if one day is missed.

Fruiting Habits:

            *Plants usually fruit 8-10 weeks after planting.

            *Parks Early Thickset will produce smaller fruit 6-8 weeks.

            *Each plant produces about 5+ nice peppers over 3-4 weeks

Growers Favorite Varieties:

            *Large Green: California Wonder

            *Red: King Arthur

            *Orange:

            *Purple: Tequila sunrise (smaller, starts white, morphs to orange and purple)

            *Yellow: Lafayette

Grower Notes:

*When planting on plastic, place soaker hose under plastic, OR puncture holes in coffee can or similar container, set into ground near plant and fill can daily.

*Colored peppers start green, can be picked green, and turn colors after the green pepper has reached is mature size.

*Purple peppers add fun variety and are sweeter than green, but not as sweet as red or yellow.  Purple peppers turn color easier than red, orange, or yellow.

Fruits of Knowledge: 

*The three numbers on fertilizer represent percent Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium respectively.  For example 12-15-12 signifies 12lbs nitrogen, 15lbs phosphorus, 12lbs potassium per 100lbs applied

*Fruiting stresses plants, the additional bit of fertilizer helps extend the life of the plant and increase yield

*It can be challenging to successfully turn peppers colors, good insect control is a must or bug chews turn into rot before the pepper develops completely