HOW TO GROW BELL PEPPERS: When to Plant Peppers
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost date.
Bell peppers require a fairly long growing season (60 to 90 days), so it's best to get them started indoors.
SOWING: Sow the seeds about 1/4-inch deep in a moist sterile potting mixture.
Bell pepper plants may be as short as 6 inches, or as tall as 3 feet tall. The spread of these plants may be anywhere from 1 to 3 feet. Grown in upper U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 through 11, bell pepper plants may be overwintered outdoors, where they become full and bush-like.
Most pepper seeds germinate within 7-21 days but it's good to keep them nice and warm at 80-90˚ F to make sure the seeds sprout. Do not keep them in a cold room or a greenhouse that gets cold at night – they need consistent 80-90˚ F temperatures to ensure best germination.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially vitamin C and various carotenoids. For this reason, they may have several health benefits, such as improved eye health and reduced risk of several chronic diseases. All in all, bell peppers are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.
