Growing Capsicum, also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers

Capsicum annuum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
      T T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Capsicum in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Cut fruit off with sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Egg plant (Aubergine), Nasturtiums, Basil, Parsley, Amaranth

Your comments and tips

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29 Jan 20, Fran Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Our capsicum plants are loaded with fruit and are flowering profusely. To increase the size of the fruit do we thin the fruit or just let them keep growing. Thank you any advice will be appreciated.
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30 Jan 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would suggest you stake and support the plants. You probably could do both, leave all flowers on some and trim others. Good watering and fertilising will produce good size fruit.
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27 Jan 20, Mark Andersen (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
I live in Calgary, AB and was wondering when I should start my hot pepper plants indoors ... Thanks.
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29 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to your climate zone and check it in the planting calendar guide. S = plant seeds undercover in trays.
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21 Dec 19, Bj (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have 4 Capsicum plants and i use worm fertiliser and water on the days I can and i will all so use bath water and I have had flowers and that's it .
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22 Dec 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Depends whether you are using worm leachate or worm casting as fertiliser. I don't believe they have much NPK in them especially the leachate and I think you would have to use a lot to grow things. Although it says you can grow caps in summer I think it is far too hot to do so. Better a crop in autumn and early spring.
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20 Dec 19, Elie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey guys, My capsicum plant is giving me a lot og capsicum but they are small and changing colors while they are still small... any advise on what might be the issue
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22 Dec 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Probably not enough fertiliser and also I feel it is too hot this time of year to grow caps.
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10 Dec 19, Jenny Cathcart (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Should laterals be picked off capsicums? Thank you.
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07 Dec 19, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
I’ve noticed my capsicum is very small this year same as last year. Has been in for about 6 wks and is only about 6-7 inches tall. Been regularly watered and fertilised?
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Hi Sarah Your timing seems OK, size wise and leaves etc. It’s hard to know what you did without being there, but here's a few transplanting tips to help you figure it out: - a week before you transplant, harden them off a bit by moving them out, especially if you've been raising the seedlings in a protected place i.e. shade house. Maybe also boost them with a light liquid feed first, not too much nitrogen - water them first so the soil or potting mix is moist, otherwise all the soil will just fall way, exposing and disturbing the roots - wait for the soil to be moist, not too wet, when you take them out, and tease the roots out gently, disturbing them as little as possible. It’s the fine root hairs at the ends of the roots that take up water so if they break off they can’t take up water - the hole you plant them in should be big enough to accommodate the roots without scrunching them in - after planting, don't fertilise until they've settled in, say a week or so. You can water them in with seaweed solution as this helps them settle. Protect them from wind and direct sun for a few days until they adjust - basically it's all about reducing transplant shock as much as possible Roberta

- Roberta

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