If you enjoy both green and red sweet peppers, consider ‘Bell Boy’. Its thick walled, four lobed, blocky fruits can be used when green or left to turn bright red. They are ideal for stuffing or slicing into rings for salads. The bushes are early, compact, and high yielding, so are a good choice for containers. Resistant to tobacco Mosaic Virus and generally pest free, ‘Bell boy’ is an All American Selection winner. For more details read my post on How to Select Sweet Bell Peppers for the Home Vegetable Garden.
Days to Harvest: 70.
Planting Date: Start seed 6 to 8 weeks before setting out. Set out plants when night temperatures are above 50.
Spacing: 18-24” between plants, 4-36” between rows.
Germination: 12-20 days.
Size: Plant 4′ tall; peppers 4 ½”.
Light: Full sun.
Water: Water deeply once or twice a week especially during times of high temperatures. Drying out can diminish yield.
Soil: Fertile, moist, well drained.
Fertilizer: Apply 1 teaspoon of 5-10-10 fertilizer around each transplant when planting out and 1 tablespoon at one month intervals during the growing season.
Care: Harvest peppers when green or let them ripen and turn red. Cut the peppers from the plant so as not to damage the stem. For a special treat, spray the leaves with a solution of 1 Table Spoon Epsom salts in a gallon of water when the peppers flower. They love magnesium!
Pests and Diseases: Tobacco Mosaic Virus resistant.
Suitable for containers? Yes. Provide ¾ to 1 cubic foot of soil per plant.
Karen Meyers