How to Grow Colorful Bell Peppers

Growing pepper plants

Bell peppers are a favorite in home gardens as new and colorful varieties are being made available. They are fairly easy to grow and have very few pests. The grown fruits on the plant are beautiful ornaments for your yard. Growing instructions follows.

Things You'll Need

• Young bell pepper plants, or seeds
• Planting pot
• Gardening tools
• Gloves
• Fertilizer 5-10-10, 8-16-16

Instructions

1. 

   If you are growing it from seeds, the best time to start is inside your home, about eight weeks before your last frost. Use a 2"-4" pot, or bigger. The larger pot will yield healthier plants or even larger peppers. This is because of a better root system. Seeds should be sown in a moist, lightweight mix.

2. 

   Planting should be delayed until all danger of frost in your area has disappeared. The pepper thrives in temperatures of 70-80 degrees F during the day, and 60-70 degrees F in the night. Bell peppers don't grow well in cold weather. Seek a warm, sunny spot in your garden for planting.

3. 

   Many growers transplant the plants too soon in the growing season. The soil in your garden should be around 72-85 degrees F before planting them outside.

4. 

   The plants need soil acidity around 6.2 to 7.0 pH. A fertilizer like 8-16-16 or 5-10-10 can be used. Plant each 12" to 16" apart, and pack soil firmly around the roots. Apply fertilizer often and generously if you see fruits starting to appear.

5. 

   In the peak season of growing, keep your peppers healthy by supplying with sun and moist soil. Bell peppers require heavy watering, but do not soak them (flooding the ground around their roots). Standing water encourage mold growth, which of that would rot the root system.

6. 

   You can harvest bell peppers when they reach 4-5 inches long. Immature peppers are soft, thin fleshed and pale in color.

7. Bell pepper plants are seldom invade by pests. Should it occur, see the last link in the following resources for treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Bell peppers can be picked at any time once they are established.

• Keep harvesting; the more peppers you pick the more the plant will produce.

• They can be eaten cooked, pickled and stuffed. And also be used in sauces, stews, soups and relishes.

Resources

• Advice on Growing Bell Peppers
• Bell Pepper Plant Care
• How to Grow Bell Peppers
• Oregon State University Extension
• Eliminating Pepper Pests - North Carolina State University (NCSU)