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Growing Cal Wonder Organic Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

For those embracing organic gardening, begin by obtaining your non-GMO pepper seeds from True Leaf Market and plan to start them indoors for optimal growth. Directly planting pepper seeds in the garden, known as in situ sowing, often does not offer the best start for a productive season in many climates. To ensure a robust beginning, initiate the germination of your seeds six to eight weeks before the expected last frost of spring in your area. Utilize seed starting trays or cells, planting 2-3 seeds per cell, with a pre-moistened organic germination mix. Employ a humidity dome to keep the warmth and moisture consistent. A heating mat can be used to maintain the necessary 75 F temperature for successful germination.

Upon the emergence of seedlings, remove the humidity dome to allow access to direct, full sunlight for a minimum of 8 hours each day. To prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy, place grow lights just above the tallest plant, adjusting the height as they grow. If using artificial lights, it's important to switch them off during nighttime. After the true leaves have developed, thin the seedlings to one per cell (or one every 2-3 inches) and apply an organic light fertilizer to nourish the young plants.

When the seedlings have matured to at least 6 weeks old and are about 4 inches tall, begin the process of acclimating them to outdoor conditions. Gradually increase their exposure to sunlight and gentle winds daily, taking care to bring them inside if temperatures fall below 50 F. Following the last frost and when seedlings are prepared for outdoor life, ready your garden bed.

Select a garden spot that hasn't seen peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants for a minimum of two years to prevent disease carryover. Enrich the soil with well-decomposed organic compost or worm castings to ensure high soil fertility. Space the holes approximately 2 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart, transplant the seedlings to their previous soil depth, firm the soil gently around the roots, and water deeply. Apply a layer of dark-colored organic mulch around the base of each plant to maintain moisture.

Support your growing pepper plants with suitable structures, especially important as they start to bear fruit, to prevent them from toppling over under the weight. Vigilantly check for pests and diseases, adopting swift organic solutions to halt any spread and safeguard your plants.

Harvesting Cal Wonder Organic Peppers

Cal Wonder bell peppers can be harvested throughout the growing season and should be removed from the plant as they reach maturity to allow the plant to produce more. While they can be harvested and consumed when green, they are known for their flavor and texture after having matured on the plant to a deep red color. Hold the pepper in your hand and with your other hand, slice the pepper off the plant about 2 inches up the stem. Peppers can continue to ripen indoors at room temperature if necessary to preserve fruit from a frost.

About Cal Wonder Organic Pepper Garden Seeds

Cal Rose Red Bell Peppers are sweet peppers with no heat (0 Scoville Heat Units). They are suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses and are resistant to the tobacco mosaic virus.

The preeminent bell pepper seed and one of the most recognizable sweet peppers in the world, the classic green and red Cal Wonder truly is one of the easiest garden seeds to grow. Cal Wonder seeds produce delicious 3-4 inch squared sweet bell peppers known for their exceptionally thick, yet sweet and tender, pepper walls.

Peppers are wonderful candidates for container gardens as they only grow 2-3 feet high. For an optimal container-grown harvest, do not reuse soil, ensure full sun, fertilize regularly, and provide at minimum of 5 gallons of soil per plant. All other instructions apply.

These delicious fruits are wonderful when sliced and eaten fresh, stuffed and baked, stewed, canned, and more. They likely won’t last long in your kitchen, the sweet flesh is hard to pass up.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"Homegrown organic produce is one of the best things for your body that you can regularly consume. The nutrients and lack of chemicals is hard to beat. You won't regret spending the time!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Scoville Heat Scale

Cal Wonder Organic Pepper Seeds Per Package:

• 250mg - Wholesale - Approximately 60 Seeds
• .25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 108,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Cal Wonder Organic Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.