Bell peppers, native plants to Mexico and Central America, are vegetables that became a very popular growing item in home gardens. The cultivation of bell peppers is easy and they can reach their maturity within 70 days which means they can be grown even in more moderate climate with shorter warm season. There are multiple varieties to choose from, mostly differing in shape and color ranging from green through red to yellow. Red, yellow and orange peppers are generally slightly more sweet than the green variety.

Peppers will thrive in hot weather, so if you live in cool climate, soil should be covered with mulch or black plastic to keep it warm. It is recommended to sow bell peppers seeds at first indoors in pots around ¼ inch deep, 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date. To water the plants put the whole pot with a drainage whole at the bottom into a shallow pan filled with water and let the plant soak water. When the plants have germinated, keep only one seedling per pot. Sometimes a heat lamp and fluorescent light is needed in order to speed up the germination process. When the outside temperature is warm enough, the seedlings should be transferred outdoors. Space seedlings around 20 inches apart. If planting the seedlings in rows, make sure to space them around 30 inches apart from each other.

Bell peppers like plenty of direct sunlight so make sure to transplant the seedlings in an area with no shade. Also, the temperature of the soil should be around 75°F. The soil itself has to be well drained and rich in compost and manure.

Bell peppers like moist but not wet soil. They will require regular watering especially in the hot and dry summer months. Weeding should be carried out on regular basis too. It is possible to add mulch around the bell peppers to cut down on weeds and to keep the soil moist. Once the plants are developed, a fertilizer high in potassium or phosphorous should be used. If frosts are expected, cover the plant with a big bucket during the night. When air is warm enough again, remove the bucket.

Bell peppers can reach the maturity within 70 to 90 days, but they can be picked as soon as they grew to a size which is edible. When the peppers are mature, they break easily from the plant. However, it is recommended to clip them off the plant. Wash and dry bell peppers thoroughly and store them at around 50°F. This way the peppers can last up to 3 weeks.

Growing bell peppers is pretty easy if they are planted in an area with plenty of sunlight and warm well drained soil. Bell peppers are very popular vegetables mostly because of their versatile use in preparing food and their nutrient content which can vary depending on the variety and stage of maturity. In general, bell peppers are great source of antioxidants such as vitamin A and C.