Red Bell Pepper Seeds - Sweet Big Red Bell Pepper Heirloom Seeds

Red Bell Pepper Seeds - Sweet Big Red Bell Pepper Seeds Plant Basics: Germination: 7-14 days Days to Harvest: 75 days Plant Size: 18in wide x 2-3ft high Plant Depth: 1/4 inch Spacing: 18-24in plants; 24-36in rows Sun: Full sun Yield: 4in peppers Big Red Bell Peppers are extra sweet, 4in long fruit with thick, bright red flesh. This variety is easy to grow and has a bushy tendency. It can also be planted in large containers. It loves heat and requires full sun to ripen. I recommend starting this variety indoors 8 weeks before final spring frost. Harvest at anytime and the peppers will be sweet and tasty. Growing Instructions: 1) Direct sow: In spring after last frost date or threat of frost has passed. Plant seeds directly into soil at 1/4 inch deep. Keep soil moist but not overly wet. After seeds germinate, then them to desired spacing, or around 18-24 inches. 2) Transplant: *Recommended* (especially in northern areas and other areas with shorter growing seasons) Start seeds indoors in spring around 8 weeks before last frost date. Planting 1/4" deep in starting mix in container or tray. Cover the container or tray loosely with plastic to retain moisture. Place in a warm spot (80 degrees+ is ideal. Placing heating mats under plants helps speed up germination time.) After seeds germinate, remove plastic covering and continue to keep soil moist but not overly wet. Grow lights are a good addition at this point, especially if seedlings do not receive a lot of direct sunlight. Keep plants as close to grow lights as possible but not closer than 2-3 inches. (Soil will dry out quicker under the grow lights.) Move plants to larger containers after they've grown 2 sets of true leaves. At this point, I like to use a tabletop fan pointed at the plants help prepare them for outdoor conditions. About 1-2 weeks before you plan to transplant outdoors, start to harden the plants off by placing them outside. Start in the shade for an hour or two and extend the time each day, gradually exposing them to more sunlight, until they can be left outside for several hours in direct sunlight. Transplant after threat of frost has passed and soil temp is around 60-65 degrees. Early Planting Tips: Remove any blossoms that form before transplanting and any that emerge in the first several weeks. (Even if it's SO difficult to make yourself do this!) The plants will acclimate to their new environment better and use resources to grow stronger and fuller and produce a much larger harvest mid and late season. I like to mulch around the plants with about an inch of mulch, leaving a couple of inches diameter around the base of the plants. (We use grass and leaf clippings for this, but anything garden-friendly will work.) Covering the ground between the plants with tarps, cardboard, or similar will help keep the soil warm if temperatures still get cold at night. If frost is possible after transplanting, cover plants with sheets or tarps not heavy enough to damage branches or leaves. Eating: Great in salads or on a fresh veggie tray, stuffed whole, or added into soups, relishes or salsas. A favorite in stir-fries, fajitas, or on the grill. Contains high amounts of vitamins A and C. Even harvested early (as early as 50-60 days), they still taste great. All of our seeds are: •GMO Free •Open Pollinator •American grown FREE SHIPPING - orders of $35+ $3.99 flat-rate shipping on all orders under $35. Additional growing instructions, tips and recipes on our website. Growing information provided for informational purposes only. Please message with any questions.