Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Keystone Resistant Giant
70 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Grows huge, 4-inch fruit with very thick and sturdy walls. Sweet Peppers turn from green to red over time, which brings a versatile producer in the garden. Keystone Giant Sweet Pepper is incredibly resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and its leaves are heavy, reducing the risk of sunscald. It grows well in the Mid-Atlantic but is not recommended for the deep south. ~6,800 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Keystone Resistant Giant Sweet Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Begin your seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Keystone Resistant Giant peppers thrive in warmth, so achieving successful germination requires maintaining soil temperatures around 80 F (27 C). Plant your seeds a quarter inch deep in a high-quality organic seed starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, but be cautious of overwatering. Position your seed trays in a spot that gets plenty of light, or use a grow light to mimic the sun’s rays, ensuring your seedlings grow strong and sturdy.
As the threat of frost passes and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55 F (13 C), your seedlings will be ready for their new home outdoors. Acclimatize them to outdoor conditions by gradually exposing them to outside air and sunlight over a week – a process known as hardening off. When transplanting, choose a sunny location in your garden with rich, well-draining soil. Enrich the planting site with compost to nourish your peppers. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart, allowing ample room for growth. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and maintain a consistent watering schedule, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. A layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Feed your plants with a fertilizer formulated for vegetables, following package instructions for frequency and application rates. Ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and maintain a consistent watering schedule, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. A layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Feed your plants with an organic fertilizer formulated for vegetables, following package instructions for frequency and application rates.
Embrace the practice of companion planting to enhance your garden’s ecosystem naturally. Marigolds, basil, and parsley are excellent companions for peppers, deterring pests and attracting beneficial insects. Avoid planting Keystone peppers near fennel or kohlrabi, as they can inhibit each other's growth.
Keystone Resistant Giant peppers are notably disease-resistant, but it's still crucial to adopt preventive measures against pests. Employ pest control methods such as encouraging beneficial insects, applying neem oil, or using insecticidal soap sparingly. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or disease and act promptly to address any issues.
Pruning is optional for pepper plants but can be beneficial for air circulation and fruit production. Remove any leaves that are touching the ground to prevent disease, and consider thinning out crowded branches to allow light to reach the inner parts of the plant. This not only improves air circulation but also directs the plant's energy toward producing larger, healthier fruits.
Harvesting Keystone Resistant Giant Sweet Peppers
Keystone Resistant Giant Sweet peppers will be ready to pick approximately 75 days after transplanting, transitioning from green to a vibrant red when fully ripe. Harvest peppers by cutting them from the plant with scissors or a sharp knife to avoid damaging the plant. Remember, peppers can be harvested at any stage of ripeness, but allowing them to mature on the plant will enhance their sweetness.
About Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper Garden Seeds
This California-Wonder-type bell pepper is blocky, large, and resistant to tobacco mosaic virus. The thick foliage reduces sunscald, and the heavy-duty stems resist breakage.
Keystone Resistant Giant is ideal for growers in the Mid-Atlantic region but not the deep south.
Use Keystone any way you would typically use any bell pepper. It is a versatile performer in the kitchen. Slicing, dicing, grilling, stuffing, and more!
Gardeners value this variety for its adaptability to different growing conditions and relatively short maturity, with peppers ready to harvest approximately 70-90 days after transplanting. Its disease resistance makes it a robust choice for organic gardening, where chemical use is minimized, and plant health is maintained naturally.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Did you know that the typical bell pepper contains 100% of the vitamin C that most adults need in a day? Crazy! Oranges only have 75%."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Keystone Resistant Giant Sweet Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 500 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 65 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 27,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 108,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 544,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper Color: | Red, Green |
| Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper Flavor: | Mild, Sweet |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 70 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 0 |
| Heat Level: | Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 61 to 75 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Pepper Use: | Fresh eating, Salads, Sauteing, Stuffing |