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Bell Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Vegetable

Bell peppers are warm-season crops that produce sweet, crisp fruit in a range of colours. They need a long growing season and are best started indoors well before the last frost.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam; pH 6.0–6.8

Spacing

18–24 inches

Days to Maturity

70–90 days from transplant

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 4–11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Start Indoors

    8–10 weeks before last frost

  • Transplant

    After last frost, soil 65°F+

  • Harvest

    70–90 days from transplant

Organic Growing Tips

  • Grow basil nearby to deter aphids and flea beetles naturally.

  • Use row covers early in the season to protect young transplants from flea beetle damage.

  • Mulch heavily around the base to maintain consistent soil moisture and warmth.

  • Apply compost tea as a foliar spray to strengthen plants against disease.

Common Pests

  • Aphids
  • Flea Beetle
  • Pepper Weevil
  • Spider Mites

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.