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Growing Rainbow Bell Blend Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Starting pepper seeds is straightforward but requires some planning. Approximately two months before the last spring frost in your area, begin your seeds indoors using grow lights, heating pads, and growing cells or trays. Fill the trays with a well-drained seed starting medium, such as coconut coir, and water it thoroughly. Plant the seeds about a quarter of an inch deep into the medium and cover them. Mist the seeds to keep them in place and ensure they are sufficiently saturated. Maintain consistent moisture levels for the seeds. Using a humidity dome can help minimize water evaporation and keep the environment ideal for germination.

Once the seedlings start to emerge from the soil, they need 8-14 hours of light daily to thrive. Without adequate light, the seedlings will become leggy and weak, hindering their growth into healthy plants. While a sunny windowsill might provide enough light, most growers find that supplemental lighting is the most effective solution. Heat mats are also beneficial, keeping the seed starting medium at a warm 70-80 F, which is crucial for proper germination.

Consistently care for the pepper seedlings by providing sufficient light, moisture, and ventilation. After the true leaves appear, lightly fertilize with a balanced feed to support healthy growth. As the threat of frost diminishes in your area, begin the hardening-off process by gradually exposing the seedlings to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them outside for a few hours each day, incrementally increasing their outdoor time to acclimate them to temperature fluctuations, light intensity, and wind. Bring the seedlings indoors if temperatures drop below 55 F to protect them from cold stress.

Once the danger of frost has passed and the seedlings are fully hardened off, transplant them into your garden. Prepare the garden bed by adding compost and any other necessary soil amendments. Space the plants 18-24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and prevent disease. Continue to care for your pepper plants throughout the growing season by providing deep, regular watering, monitoring for pests and diseases, and maintaining a weed-free area. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and reduce weed growth, promoting healthy, vigorous pepper plants.

Harvesting Rainbow Bell Blend Peppers

Harvest them when fully colored and shiny by snipping or slicing the fruit from the plant, leaving about a half inch of stem attached. Prompt harvest often inspired a greater yield overall. Storing them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator can make them last longer.

About Rainbow Bell Blend Pepper Garden Seeds

The Rainbow Bell Blend features a mix of seeds of plants that will produce yellow, orange, red, green, and purple bell peppers, respectively.

Being one of our best-selling custom pepper blends, it is a tried and true customer favorite that you can often spot being grown in all sorts of settings.

These peppers are drought tolerant and have been grown successfully in garden beds, raised beds, greenhouses, and containers.

The plants can grow up to 3 feet tall but usually land somewhere between 2 and 3 feet. Tomato cages can prevent breakage and fruit loss if a plant is particularly heavy-yielding.

All of these peppers are sweet, thick-walled, and robust. They hold up well when stuffed, put in soups, and any other culinary application!

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I love suggesting this mix to those who grow peppers for the purpose of making fajitas. Imagine a colorful batch of chicken or beef fajitas with all these different colors in it! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer