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Growing Muscato Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Plant your Hybrid Muscato pepper seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the threat of frost is predicted to pass in your location. Bury them a quarter inch deep in a well-draining seed starting mix. Use either cells or flats, but be sure to thin out the seedlings once they sprout or plant them 2-3 inches apart. As soon as the sprouts break the soil surface, they should be exposed to 8-14 hours of direct sunlight (or grow light) per day. If your seedlings outgrow their flat or cell by filling space with roots, transplant them to larger 4 or 6-inch pots. Plant the seedlings at the same surface level and remove any low-hanging leaves. That might touch the soil.

Throughout germination and indoor cultivation, keep the soil consistently moist, only allowing it to dry slightly between waterings once the roots are well-established in their cells. When daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 F and the last frost date is approaching, it is time to harden off your seedlings. Do this by placing the seedlings outdoors for incrementally longer time periods. Over the course of 1-2 weeks. Be sure to bring them inside if temperatures dip too low too quickly. This process allows the seedlings to gradually acclimate to the outdoors before being transplanted to the garden.

After the threat of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently above 50 F, even at night, the seedlings can be transplanted into the garden. Prepare the garden bed by ensuring the soil has adequate drainage and fertility. Incorporating well-rotted compost into the soil is a great way to do this. Plant the seedlings into the garden 12-18 inches apart. Bury them at the same level and remove any branches or leaves that might touch the soil. Backfill the hole with soil. Water the plants heavily to remove any air pockets. Continue to water the plants regularly throughout the season. Applying a second round of fertilizer or compost can boost yields.

Harvesting Muscato Hybrid Peppers

These large, stuffing peppers can be harvested when green or orange. The green peppers taste slightly earthy and bitter, whereas the orange peppers are sweet and fresh. Harvest the peppers promptly when they ripen to encourage more yields. This variety is an everbearing type that will continue to produce peppers right up until the first frost of fall. Use a knife to take the peppers off the plant. Pulling or twisting can damage the plant and reduce yields.

About Muscato Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds

Muscato Hybrid pepper plants are resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus.

The blocky 5 x 4 in. diameter fruits have very thick walls, with most having four lobes. They turn from dark green to orange.

This heavy yielder is widely adaptable and was developed for both fresh market and processing.

Muscato Hybrid plants are sturdy and hold up well. They rarely need staking or cages to help them stay erect.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"Orange bell peppers are hands down some of my favorites. They have a unique taste that is not quite so sweet as red peppers, and so they pair beautifully with a variety of culinary applications."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer