Bell peppers are second only to tomatoes when it comes to garden popularity. This well-loved plant, that originated with the Native Americans, is fairly simple to grow, if you have the right tools. We’ll give you 3 tips that should increase the amount and quality of your bells this year.
#1: When planting from seeds, you are able to choose from a wider variety of cultivars, but they take a little more pampering than a purchased seedling that is already 4-6 inches tall. Plant seeds indoors in containers about 2 months before the last frost, planting 3 seeds to a container. This keeps the baby roots undisturbed while establishing themselves, so you can then move them outside to raised beds ONLY after the soil is consistently 60 degrees fahrenheit.
#2: Do not purchase seedlings that have peppers already growing on them. It’s tempting, but those plants will not produce their fruit well. Choose seedlings that have strong stalks and roots, as well as dark green leaves.
#3: Do not harvest your peppers by pulling them off of the stalk! This is perhaps the most common mistake that gardeners commit. It is far better to CUT the pepper away from the vine, so as to leave minimal damage to the still-growing plant.