Bell Pepper
Sweet, thick-walled, and brilliantly colorful, bell peppers reward patient gardeners with one of summer's most satisfying harvests.
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From Green to Gold
Bell peppers start life green and, if left on the plant, ripen to yellow, orange, or red depending on the variety - growing sweeter and more nutritious with every passing week. That color change signals a surge in vitamin C and antioxidants that green peppers simply can't match.
Though botanically a fruit, the bell pepper earns its place firmly in the vegetable garden. Bred from wild Capsicum annuum ancestors native to Central and South America, modern bells have had the capsaicin gene effectively silenced, leaving all the flavor without any heat.
Planting & care
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date - peppers need warmth to germinate and resent a cold start. Transplant outdoors only when nighttime temperatures stay reliably above 55 F, spacing plants 18-24 in apart in well-draining, fertile soil amended with compost. A slow-release balanced fertilizer at planting gives them a strong foundation.
Consistent moisture is essential; uneven watering invites blossom drop and misshapen fruit. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Side-dress with a low-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins - too much nitrogen pushes leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Stake taller varieties to prevent branches from snapping under a heavy load.
Pick One Early to Unlock More
Harvesting your first pepper - even while still green - signals the plant to redirect energy into setting new fruit. Leaving every pepper to fully ripen at once can stall production. Use scissors or pruning shears rather than pulling, which can snap brittle branches.
How much sun does Bell Pepper need?
Bell Pepper grows best in full sun.
How often should you water Bell Pepper?
Give it about 1-2 in per week.
When is Bell Pepper ready to harvest?
Bell Pepper is usually ready in 70-90 days to mature color from transplant.