Ultimate Guide to Cultivating Bell Peppers in Your Backyard Garden (2024)

FAQs

How do I grow bell peppers in my backyard? ›

Quick Guide to Growing Peppers

Set pepper plant seedlings out after the last spring frost. They grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. Pepper plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

These tropical natives like hot temperatures and fertile soil. Plant in a location with well-drained soil that gets full, direct sun at least six to eight hours each day. You'll be rewarded with healthy plants and abundant fruit. Peppers are very sensitive to cold; rush them outside in spring and you'll regret it.

Expect 5-10 large bell peppers per well-grown plant, and 20-50 hot peppers per plant. Storage: Peppers don't stay fresh and crunchy for more than a few days, even in the refrigerator, so use them while they are in season. Small chiles can be dried if laid on cookie sheets in an airy place.

Bell peppers have grown more than two years in containers. They can be moved to a warm site when severe cold is expected. In-ground plantings also grow well when the soil is amended with organic matter. All need to be kept moist and fertilized with a slow-release product, following label instructions.

For the best harvests and healthy plants, we like to plant pepper plants in deep beds, we recommend 18-24" of soil depth. Small peppers (less than one foot high) can grow well in two-gallon containers, but bigger plants need at least five-gallon pots, and all peppers thrive best with more room.

Planting Peppers

Grow peppers in a space with full sun and well-draining moist (but not wet) soil. A balance between sandy and loamy soil will ensure that the soil drains well and warms quickly. Mix in large amounts of organic matter (such as compost) into the soil, especially if you are working with heavy clay.

Once pepper plants have begun sprouting flowers, you can try a flowering-stage fertilizer. These usually have less nitrogen, but provide plenty of phosphorus and potassium for fruit production. One great fertilizer we use for the blooming stage of growth is Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed (2-3-1).

💡 Triggers for Flowering

Light, temperature, and watering all play a crucial role. Pepper plants are sun worshippers, needing at least six hours of full light a day to produce healthy flowers. They also prefer warm temperatures and just the right amount of water. Not too much, not too little.

Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield. They also attract pests such as flea beetles and cabbage worms that can damage pepper plants.

Should I prune my bell pepper plants? ›

Aside from the occasional removal of suckers throughout the summer, peppers require very little pruning beyond establishment. However, depending on your climate, you may need to prune late in the season to encourage any remaining fruits on the plant to ripen when cold weather approaches.

Peppers require a lot of water, so using mulch can help maintain soil moisture. However, do not mulch until soils have warmed up. Mulching too early can keep soils cold, which can damage transplant roots.

​Yes, you can plant seeds from store-bought peppers, but keep in mind that they may produce plants with varying characteristics due to potential hybridization.

According to Homestead and Chill, topping pepper plant seedlings will help them grow side branches, which bear more flowers, and eventually fruit. Topping isn't exclusive to peppers—it's also useful for tomato gardens, eggplant and other nightshades. You don't have to top your pepper plants.

Provide support for growing peppers and mulch well. Pepper plants are brittle and need support as they grow; a wire cage or trellis works well for this purpose. Pepper plants require well-draining soil, but also plenty of water, especially in the hottest times of the year.

Growing bell peppers isn't difficult, but temperature is an important factor. While they're fairly easy to grow, pepper plant care in these early stages is critical. Always start pepper plant seedlings indoors. The seeds need the warmth of your house to germinate.

About Bell Peppers

Peppers have a long growing season (60 to 90 days), so most home gardeners buy starter pepper plants at the garden nursery rather than grow them from seed. However, you can start pepper seeds indoors if you want to grow your own.

Germinate outdoors via direct seeding into your soil. This is an easier, less time-consuming approach, but you don't get yields until later in the season since you get a late start. Also, you have a greater risk of plant loss during the seedling stage due to outdoor garden pests.