Growing bell peppers is easier than you might think, and it yields colorful and delicious results. There are many different varieties of bell peppers to choose from, whether you want a small plant for your windowsill or to create your own pepper patch. Bell peppers can be sown from seeds or planted as seedlings if you want to save some time. If you want to start from seeds indoors, you can do this quite early, even in January, and the best part about bell peppers is that they produce their own seeds! You can collect seeds from this year's plants and save them for next year's planting.
It's important to read the packet to see if the bell pepper variety you want will thrive in the environment where you plan to plant it. For sowing bell peppers from seeds, you can preferably plant them in smaller plastic pots, which you can later transplant into the containers you prefer. Make sure the soil is moist before placing the seeds in it, and lightly cover them with some soil. Place your planted seeds in a warm spot with just the right amount of sunlight, and consider covering them with plastic wrap to keep the soil moist.
When it starts to get warmer outside, around May-June, you can plant them outdoors:
It's important to read the packet to see if the bell pepper variety you want will thrive in the environment where you plan to plant it. For sowing bell peppers from seeds, you can preferably plant them in smaller plastic pots, which you can later transplant into the containers you prefer. Make sure the soil is moist before placing the seeds in it, and lightly cover them with some soil. Place your planted seeds in a warm spot with just the right amount of sunlight, and consider covering them with plastic wrap to keep the soil moist.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Choose seeds suitable for your intended planting location.
- Prepare a small pot by moistening the soil.
- Place your seeds on the soil and cover them lightly with soil.
- Cover the pot with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot.
- Repot your bell pepper into a larger pot when the roots start to fill the initial one.
When it starts to get warmer outside, around May-June, you can plant them outdoors:
- Begin by choosing a warm and sunny location with good drainage for your plants.
- Prepare the soil with nutrients, fertilizer, or compost.
- Dig a hole deep enough for the entire root ball.
- Place your bell pepper plant in the hole and cover the root ball with soil.
- Consider using a row cover at night during the first few weeks to protect against potential frost.
What do I need?
How do I care for and water my bell peppers?
Bell peppers like water, so watering often is important; the soil should be kept moist, but be careful not to let the roots sit in water. It's also good to shower the leaves when watering, so a hose with a spray nozzle or a can with a wide head is best here. Make sure your bell pepper plants aren't competing with weeds for nutrients, and remove them regularly.
When should I harvest my bell peppers?
You can harvest your bell peppers when they've formed nice fruits that are either yellow or red, as long as they've reached the size that your plant should produce. After harvest, you can overwinter your bell peppers indoors, but it's most common to start fresh with new plants or seeds each year.
