How to Grow Bell Peppers

Peppers are a warm-season plant so plant in the garden after danger of frost has passed, when the soil has warmed to about 70 degrees F, and when overnight temperatures do not dip below 50 degrees F. The best way to check the soil temperature is with a soil thermometer at your local garden center. For those who want to go to a little extra trouble and get a jumpstart, or if temperatures are on the chilly side, use black plastic mulch to warm the soil and floating row covers. 

Peppers grow in many soil types if it is well-drained, with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8, and in a spot with at least 6, preferably 8 to 10 hours of sun each day. A few weeks before planting, prepare your soil by adding plenty of organic compost and working into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. To determine your soil pH and whether it needs other amendments, a soil test is recommended. Soil test kits are available from your county Extension office for free or a nominal fee. It can be helpful to have your soil tested every three to five years. In the absence of a soil test, see “Fertilizing” below for recommendations.

If starting pepper plants from seeds, start them about six to eight weeks before the time to transplant them to the garden, or buy healthy, sturdy transplants, up to a foot tall, at your local garden center. Check them to make sure there are no insects or yellow or brown spots on leaves or stems. 

Plant three to four plants per person for fresh use, and more for preserving.

After you have your soil worked, water transplants well before transplanting. In the garden, space transplants 12 to 24 inches apart in a row. Rows should be about 30 to 36 inches apart. Dig a hole that is large enough for the root ball or peat pot, typically 3 to 4 inches deep. Before setting the plant into the hole, fill the hole with water and let it soak in. Set the seedlings even with the soil line as they were in the container before transplanting. If transplanting in a peat pot, completely bury the top edge of the peat to avoid it wicking away moisture from the roots. Lightly tamp down and firm the soil. Water thoroughly.

When planting in a container, use a quality potting mix for vegetables. Make sure the container has drainage holes and is large enough to give your plant room to grow, at least 14 to 18 inches in diameter and 12 to 18 inches deep. Plants in containers may need more frequent watering than those in a garden bed. They likely will need water every day and maybe even twice a day depending on the container, the site, and the summer temperatures.

Peppers need consistent water levels to produce quality fruit, an inch of water per week. Avoid overhead watering to reduce chances of foliar diseases. Rather than light watering, which can result in shallow roots, water thoroughly once per week. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are best. 

After temperatures have warmed, apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of straw or other organic mulch to suppress weed growth and to keep soil moisture levels even. Do not pile the mulch against the base of the plant. 

Plants can grow quite tall and fruit loads can be heavy, particularly since peppers have a shallow root system. Staking the peppers can provide helpful support to help keep the plant from splitting.

Fertilizing

• Soil that is enriched with plenty of organic matter typically requires less fertilizer. 
• If you have had your soil tested, follow recommendations. In the absence of a soil test, for a single plant, Texas A&M Extension recommends placing 2 level tablespoons of a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Mix it well with the soil around the plant. For a larger area, Georgia Extension recommends a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet of garden. Or use an organic fertilizer for vegetables. Follow label directions. Ideally, adding fertilizer to your planting area should be done two to three months before planting. Otherwise, apply at the time of planting. Another application when the first fruits appear can be beneficial. Sidedress each plant with about 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer. Sidedress means to apply to the side or around the plant, keeping the fertilizer about 6 inches away from the stem of the plant. Lightly work it into the soil. Water after applying fertilizer. 
• Do not use any weed and feed fertilizers on vegetable plants. 
• If growing in a container, a regular application of soluble fertilizer may be helpful. Follow label directions. 

Controlling Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems

• Various wilts, bacterial leaf spot, and viruses can be a problem though many varieties now have resistance to these diseases. Good cultural practices such as crop rotation, removing any diseased plant from the garden, and starting with healthy soil and plants can all help reduce disease problems. For problems with leaf spots, neem oil, sulfur, or other fungicides can be used. Follow label directions. 
• Peppers sometimes suffer from blossom-end rot. Make sure the plants have consistent soil moisture levels. A short-term solution may be to apply a product with calcium chloride, according to Georgia Extension. A long-term solution is to have your soil tested and amend, following recommendations.
• Aphids can leave a sticky residue on the lower leaves and fruit. If infestation is heavy, consider insecticidal soap or neem oil. Flea beetles and leaf miners are other pests. Organic treatments include sulfur and Bt-based insecticides. Follow label directions. 
• Cutworms sometimes chew stems at the soil line. Placing a cardboard collar around new transplants can help protect them. 

Peppers typically mature 70 to 85 days (about 3 months) after transplanting. If starting from seed, it likely will take 100 to 120 days (about 4 months) to maturity. When they are full-sized with firm fruit walls, they can be harvested. Harvest them green or, if you are growing a yellow, red, or purple variety, simply leave it on the plant longer to allow time for the fruit to change colors. Even the traditional green varieties will change to a red when left on the plant. 

To harvest, cut the stem of the fruit from the plant to avoid breaking the branches. Harvest as soon as the plant is desired size and color. 

Storing

Store peppers in the refrigerator. They will last two to three weeks. 

They can be marinated, pickled, canned, or frozen. An easy freezing method is to wash and then allow to drain to dry thoroughly. Cut the peppers and remove the core, then slice into strips. Spread them out in a single layer onto a tray, and then freeze. After they are frozen, place in a freezer bag and return to the freezer. This method makes it easy to pull out the amount needed for stir-fry dishes, soups, stews, or casseroles. 

• Well-drained soil is important for peppers. They do not handle soggy soils well; it can lead to root rot. An even soil moisture level is important to help avoid problems with blossom-end rot. 
• Avoid letting the peppers wilt; this reduces both yield and quality of the fruit.