SLanier Found in an array of bright colors, commonly in green, yellow, orange, or red, and sometimes, in brown, white, or purple, bell peppers are sweet peppers that can be eaten either raw or cooked. Click here for Deliciously Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe With Ground Beef and Rice!
1. Plant bell peppers seeds indoors
Start the seeding process indoors 2 months before your last expected date of frost. Plant the bell pepper seeds a quarter of an inch deep and keep them near the sun.
Since bell peppers are especially vulnerable to transplant shock that can cause stunted growth, it’s a good idea to help them adjust to the outside environment by gently introducing the seedlings to the outside conditions for small amounts of time per day, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outdoors. Do this 10 days before planting.
2. Select a container that’s at least 10 inches deep and 10 inches in width
You need a big pot with sufficient drainage. Bell peppers like warm soil with a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Keep the seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart, making sure their root balls are completely covered, while the seedling leaves can still rest on the top layer.
3. Water regularly
Bell peppers need constant watering, especially in midsummer when a daily watering may be needed, sometimes even twice a day.
4. Fertilize your plants
Being heavy feeders, your plants need to be fertilized every 14 days or two weeks. Use a low nitrogen compound as too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer can promote foliage growth and thus affect the rate of fruit production.
5. Mulch well
Adding black plastic mulch will help absorb the sun while keeping the soil warm.
6. Provide sun
Bell peppers thrive best at temperatures between 70 and 80°F during the day and 60 to 70°F at night. So, make sure they receive at a minimum of six hours of full sun every day.
7. Harvest time
Your bell peppers should be ready for harvesting within 60-90 days of transplanting. Remember, orange, yellow and red bell peppers are ripe peppers. You can harvest them green when they reach full size or wait for the ripen into other colors. a
