Growing Capsicum, also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers

Capsicum annuum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              S S S S  
                T T T  
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Capsicum in South Africa - Semi-arid regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Cut fruit off with sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Egg plant (Aubergine), Nasturtiums, Basil, Parsley, Amaranth

Your comments and tips

12 Nov 17, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You might be lucky, capsicum like heat and our summer seems to be very slow starting. It is worth a try.
02 Oct 17, Tash (Australia - temperate climate)
Just pulled out some old unperfoming capsicums (left one in). Anything suggesions on good vegies to follw in their place (will re compost soil etc, but should i follow with any particular types?) Cheers
04 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Anything from the allium family, onions, garlic, leeks, chives, or beans (legume family) is recommended to follow fruiting crops.
04 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you are re-composting your soil and it has a good balance of nutrients- NPK and trace elements etc, then you could grow anything. There is an order of growing plants - but I don't follow it. A leafy veg like lettuce will take N out of the soil, then you plant a root veg like carrots (with less N you don't get so much leaf). You can then grow something like tomato and finally something like beans (they put N back in the soil for the lettuce). I may not have the order right here - read up on the internet.
16 Dec 17, Frankly (Australia - arid climate)
Can you give me material about the process of growing Capsicum capsicum, I want to plant in Vietnam Dalat And planted do not need greenhouse, thank you!
23 Sep 17, Romyna (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am always very unssuceful in growing Capsicums in my garden the sun is very strong in summer 38d to 43 or more it kill many plants in the full sun. Do I need to grow the pepers plants in shady areas ?
25 Sep 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in a warm temperate area and found that capsicums can suffer in hot sun, despite what the literature says. Shadecloth, plenty of mulch, and regular deep watering helps.
24 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe try planting late summer and grow into the winter.
06 Sep 17, Frank bouwer (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi im bussy putting up tunnels for my peppers where can i buy pepper plants that are ready for transfer planting im looking for aboout 2000 plant . Thank you
25 Jul 17, Kev (Australia - temperate climate)
my capsican plants were looking great and producing heaps of fruit, but did not finish off well. The problem that came up was the fruit started getting dry brown lines through them. I cannot find any information on this problem. Any feed back would be helpful.
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