Because they are commonly used in recipes, growing bell peppers makes sense. With this stuff in your garden, you don’t have to worry about running short of supply.
Where to Plant Bell Peppers
Bell peppers flourish if planted in areas with plenty of sunlight. If you want to start planting indoors, do it eight weeks after the last frost. The soil should be 70 to 85 degrees warm.
Planting the Seeds
Begin by putting compost and manure in the soil. You can use a general all-purpose fertilizer. If you are transplanting, take them out only if there is no more chance of frost.
But if the weather is still cool, do not transplant them. Wait until the soil reaches the aforementioned temperatures.
To start growing bell peppers, plant the seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. The rows should have a space of 24 to 36 inches.
Note: Some bell pepper varieties may require more or less planting space.
Proper Care and Maintenance
Water the plants so the soil remains moist. Without enough water, the pepper will get a bitter taste.
While watering is essential, do not soak the soil. You might need to increase the amount during summertime. Put mulch in the soil. This will keep the moisture in. Mulch also helps prevent weeds from appearing.
Pests and Diseases
When you start growing bell peppers, insects, pests and fungi need to be kept at bay. In particular, look out for spider mites and aphids.
There are lots of pesticides and insecticides available, so buy one. Make sure you use them according to the instructions given in the package.
Harvesting
Bell peppers can be harvested when they get to an edible size. Young bell peppers are green, but they can be harvested already.
When bell peppers mature they assume different colors (red, orange, yellow, purple, and green). It depends on what type you planted.
To harvest peppers, clip them off (pulling them off is not recommended). Properly taken care of, bell peppers will keep yielding until the first winter frost arrives.
Tips
When growing bell peppers from seeds, the germination takes up to six to eight days. As the seeds start to appear, you can put in about 2 lbs of fertilizers around each individual plant. This should be six inches from the stem.
When you’re done, water it. This technique should encourage faster growth and higher yields. Be careful about adding too much nitrogen.
This will encourage leaf growth but reduce pepper yields.
You can store bell peppers for up to three weeks, but only if the temperature is between 45 to 55 degrees.
If you’re planting in a flower pot, ensure there are holes for draining. Insert a few rocks so the holes don’t get washed out.
You can also use a coffee strainer. You need to plant the seed about ¼ in deep. The pot should be stored in areas with a temperature of 55 degrees or higher.
Growing bell peppers is easy enough anyone can learn it. With a bit of patience, having a vegetable garden full of these will be attainable.
