Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Slow starters, but a hot bright spot rewards you with glossy fruit.
Sun
Full sun (8+ hrs)
Water
2.5 cm / week
Soil
Rich, warm, well-drained, pH 6.2–7.0
Spacing
45 cm apart
Days to harvest
60–90 days
Hardiness
Zones 4–11 (annual)
Seasonal Calendar
The method
- 1
Start early indoors
Sow 8–10 weeks before last frost. Peppers are slow — patience up front matters.
- 2
Keep it warm
Soil should be 21°C+ for germination. A heat mat helps.
- 3
Harden gradually
Transplant only when nights stay reliably above 13°C. Cold checks growth for weeks.
- 4
Stake tall varieties
A heavy fruit load will topple unsupported plants.
- 5
Harvest
Pick green for a crisp bite, or leave to ripen to red/yellow for more sweetness and vitamins.
Common problems
Blossom end rot
Water evenly and mulch — the cause is calcium reaching fruit unevenly, not a shortage in soil.
Sunscald
Keep foliage healthy to shade the fruit.
Good neighbors
Field tips
- “Pepper plants love a black plastic or dark stone mulch — extra heat, extra fruit.”
- “First fruit set often distorts. Pick it early to trigger heavier true crop.”