Sweet peppers
Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your UK garden! Sweet peppers require warmth and patience but reward with colourful, crunchy fruits. Best grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in most UK climates.
Sweet peppers seeds
£2.79 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Late February – March, indoors in warmth (20-25°C)
Plant out
Late May – early June, after all risk of frost has passed, ideally under cover.
Harvest
July – October
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep compost consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. Water more frequently in hot weather.
Soil
Rich, free-draining, pH 6.0–6.8
Spacing
45cm between plants
Containers
Good in large containers (min. 20-30cm diameter) or grow bags.
Indoors
Essential for good yields in the UK, especially in cooler regions. Greenhouse or conservatory is ideal.
Care and harvest
Feeding
Once fruits begin to set, feed weekly with a high-potash tomato feed.
Pruning
Pinch out the growing tip when plants are 15-20cm tall to encourage bushier growth. Remove the 'king flower' (first flower) to encourage more fruit production.
Harvesting
Pick when the fruits are a good size and have reached their desired colour. Snip with secateurs to avoid damaging the plant.
Storage
Store in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks.
Good companions: Basil, Carrots, Onions, Spinach