Fruiting vegetables · warm season
Bell pepper
Capsicum annuum
Peppers want more heat than tomatoes. In Ohio, black plastic or a dark mulch in May makes the difference.
- When to plant in Ohio
- Start indoors early March; transplant late May
- Harvest window
- July through frost; colored bells need extra weeks
- Days to maturity
- 65–85 green; 80–100 colored
- Spacing
- 14–18 in.
- Light
- Full sun, warm soil
How to grow it
Do not rush transplanting—cold nights stunt plants for weeks. Set out after soil is 60°F+. A light feed at bloom, even moisture, and a short stake keep heavy fruit off the soil. Pick green to keep plants loading, or wait for red/yellow on a few fruits.
Related fruiting vegetables
Jalapeño 70–80
Banana pepper 65–75
Eggplant 65–80 from transplant
Tomatillo 70–80