Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sunset Italian Mix (Organic)
70-100 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with mild heat levels. 0 to 100 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Many subtle trait variations on the Italian theme, with shoulder type, wall thickness, length, and tip-bluntness at play. Terrific salad peppers with few seeds and rich saturated color. Early-setting and long-bearing plants get to 30 inches tall.
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Growing Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Organic Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Begin your peppers by planting 2-3 pepper seeds per cell in a tray, using an organic seed-starting mix. This mix, typically composed of peat, coco coir, and other organic materials, provides an ideal environment for seed germination. Cover the seeds lightly, about a quarter inch deep, and water well with a gentle stream to avoid disturbing the seeds. Maintain the soil's moisture and warmth (80-90°F) for optimal germination, perhaps using a heat mat. Opting for heirloom or organic seeds ensures your plants are GMO-free and support organic farming practices.
Once your pepper seedlings develop their true leaves, it's time to thin them or transfer them to larger pots filled with organic potting soil. This stage is critical for developing a strong root system. Maintain a temperature of around 70 F during the day and 60 F at night. Fertilization should be minimal; if needed, use a diluted solution of organic liquid fertilizer to avoid overfeeding the young plants.
Though optional, a controlled cold treatment can benefit pepper plants by mimicking natural seasonal changes, which may encourage the plants to produce more fruit. Lowering the temperature to about 55 F at night for one month while ensuring the plants still receive at least 8 hours of sunlight or artificial light prepares them for a vigorous growing season. Return to normal temperatures (around 70 F)after this period.
Before transplanting outdoors, remove any premature flowers to focus the plant's energy on growth. Ensure all frost risk has passed, and gradually acclimatize your seedlings to outdoor conditions to harden them off. This process reduces transplant shock and prepares the plants for outdoor life.
Organic gardening thrives on rich, healthy soil. Enrich your garden bed with organic compost or worm castings and ensure it is well-aerated. Plant your peppers in holes spaced 12-18 inches apart, in rows 2-3 feet apart, in soil with a pH of around 6.5, ideal for peppers. Organic amendments like bone meal or rock phosphate can enhance phosphorus levels, while eggshells or gypsum can provide calcium.
Organic gardening emphasizes preventive measures and natural remedies for pest control and disease management. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Companion planting can deter pests and attract beneficial insects. For instance, planting basil near peppers repels mosquitoes and flies, while marigolds discourage nematodes. If pests appear, opt for organic pesticides like neem oil or insecticidal soap, applied judiciously.
Regular, deep watering helps establish strong root systems, which is especially important during dry spells. Use organic fertilizers, such as compost teas or fish emulsion, to provide a slow-release nutrient source without the risk of chemical buildup in the soil.
Harvesting Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Peppers
Sunset Italian Pepper Mix peppers can be harvested when green, yellow, orange, or red. They are typically ready for harvest anywhere between 70-100 days after transplantation into the garden Use shears to remove the fruits from the plant by clipping them off 1-2 inches above the fruit. Store them in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks before eating or processing further.
These peppers are most classically harvested when they are yellow but can be eaten at any stage once they reach the proper size. Whichever stage you choose to harvest at, be sure to harvest promptly and regularly to encourage more fruit to come on!
About Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Garden Seeds
This heirloom pepper mix is a combination of pepper seeds that grow sweet or mild fruits with very little heat (0-100 Scoville).
Sunset Italian Pepper Mix plants are fantastic for container gardening because they remain fairly compact. They typically grow up to 30” high. They need at least 5 gallons of soil but do best with 10 or more.
While peppers are typically grown as annuals, they are technically tender perennials and can be overwintered in zones 10 and 11 to get a second harvest.
The Sunset Italian Pepper Mix is a vibrant and colorful assortment of Italian sweet peppers, curated to bring various flavors, colors, sizes, and textures to your garden and kitchen.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"This is a great mix if you aren’t sure where to start but want to branch out from the typical bell pepper. They aren’t spicy but offer variety and excitement to the garden."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Non-GMO Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Organic 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. |
| Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Color: | Green, Red, Orange |
| Organic Sunset Italian Pepper Mix Pepper Flavor: | 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: | 70-100 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-30 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 to 100 |
| Heat Level: | Mild - 100 to 2,500 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Poblano Ancho or Pepperoncini |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready for harvest around 91 days or more from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | 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: | Salads, fresh, slicing, pickling |