Tips for Growing Bell Peppers

When to plant bell peppers

Growing bell peppers are tender in terms of hardiness and can be damaged by frost.Plant bell peppers after all threat of frost has passed.Start seeds six to eight weeks before transplants are needed.

Seed germination takes places slower during cool temperatures. Sun-loving vegetables like peppers germinate best with a little bottom heat. Place trays on top of the refrigerator or other warm spot for a few days.

How long it takes to grow peppers

Seed germination typically takes ten days to two weeks. From sowing seeds to harvesting averages 80 to 100 days. In 60-80 days from planting transplants, you can expect a harvest. If branches become brittle and break easily, stake tall growing bell peppers.

Soil

The ideal garden bed for bell peppers to be planted in is enriched sandy soil with organic matter. Fertilize every two to three weeks during the early growth stages. As the peppers continue growing, feed every few weeks. If plants develop foliage and stems but very little fruit, test a low-nitrogen fertilizer on the crop.

Water

Water sufficiently to keep soil moist. Mulching keeps the fruit clean and extends the time in between necessary watering. Keep the leaves as dry as possible by directing water towards the soil surface. Normally, between half an inch and an inch of rain or watering is adequate.

Types of pests and diseases

Major pests of bell peppers are aphids, the pepper weevil, caterpillars, and frogeye leaf spot. Pepper weevils frequently feed inside fruit or vegetable pods. Females lay their eggs in the flowers or fruit. The eggs grow into the grub-like larvae that damage and discolor edible portions of the bell peppers plants.

Symptoms of the fungal disease, frogeye leaf spot, on your bell peppers plants is foliage covered in oval brown dots, leaves dropping, and the pepper plants are beginning to look bare in spots. Humid and warm weather conditions contribute to the occurrence of leaf spots. The disease can spread rapidly among the garden plants. If major leaf loss happens, the peppers will often totally decline.

Pest control

Preventing the pepper weevil is the best means of controlling the pests. If damage is expected to grow bell peppers, begin spraying with Sevin or diazinon when plants bloom. Once an infestation has occurred, handpick affected plant portions.

Disease Prevention

Prevent frogeye leaf spot from damaging your bell peppers by using a copper-based fungicide or maneb. Make certain to protect all the unaffected areas by completely covering the leaves with the chemical. Use resistant varieties whenever possible. Never work among wet plants. Fungicides usually control leaf spot.

Harvesting bell peppers

At harvest time, snap peppers from plants as needed. Most are left to develop to a firm, large size. By picking the fruit earlier, the plants spend less time growing seeds. Plants produce more when the peppers are picked at full size but not fully matured. If growing bell peppers are left on the plant until fully mature, the produce often turns red. Mature peppers are very tasty and used for cooking in stir-fry.

Harvest by lifting fruit and snapping it from the plant with a twisting motion. A portion of the stem usually remains attached. Plants may grow and produce for several seasons. Continue care of the growing bell peppers while they remain productive.

Storage

Pick and use the peppers immediately or store in a cool place. The average length of the storage period for bell peppers is two to three weeks.

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