Hey everyone! I'm gardening in zone 6b and I've had great success with direct sowing cucumbers and cantaloupes since May 1st. I'm curious about trying the same with bell peppers. Is this a good approach, or should I consider alternatives?
2 Answers
I'm in the same zone, and I find that direct sowing bell peppers is a bit tricky. My dad used to start them indoors, and I think that's a better way to go. They take quite a bit of time to grow, and I often start with small plants, especially since St. Patrick's Day is when I usually plant peas and greens.
I'd suggest skipping the direct sowing for bell peppers. They need soil temperatures in the 70s to germinate, which you probably won't see until early to mid-June. With that in mind, they need about 90 days to harvest, meaning you'd be looking at early September before you could even get something. If you're in risk of frost late in the season, it might be best to start them indoors or grab some plants from a nursery when the timing is right.
Thank you!