Want to know when to plant bell peppers in Texas? We’ve got you all covered!
Bell peppers originating from Mexico have become a staple crop in the United States. There are wide varieties of bell peppers that are suitable for the US soil.
If you are a Texan planning to plant bell peppers, you will have it easy, thanks to the warm climate of Texas.
However, since you’re reading this article, you must have some doubts about bell pepper farming.
As bell peppers require a specific temperature and climate for a good yield, it is essential to be careful about the perfect timing to plant and harvest the bell peppers.
So, to answer your queries, we have come up with this article on when to plant bell peppers in Texas.
Best time to Plant Bell Peppers in Texas!
Bell Peppers can be frustrating if you plant them during the cold.
It is advised that the temperature should not be below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, it would be best if you do not plant it outside too early or too late. The frost can kill the plant if you ignore the correct timing.
The best season to plant bell pepper plants is spring. However, we also need to wait for a specific window in spring.
In the spring season, you should check for the last frost date in your locality. The general idea is if there wasn’t a frost fall over the previous two weeks, you are good to go. Usually, the average prior frost date across Texas cities ranges from February to March.
Please note this range is an average range.
We can’t be too sure of this as nature has different stories each year. Sometimes, the frost comes earlier, and sometimes, it may arrive later.
The real-world weather determines when to plant bell peppers. So, the best idea is to be careful and smartly notice the frost dates in your area.
You must act if the frost comes after you plant the bell peppers.
If you have planted the bell peppers in a pot, take the pot indoors until the frost ends. Otherwise, if your bell pepper plants aren’t movable, you should cover them with frost covers and pray for their survival.
You must be wondering, what if we plant the bell peppers later when there’s no threat of frost falls?
But that’s a big NO!
Planting the bell peppers too late may result in no production of fruits. So, we must take advantage of that small window for planting the bell pepper plants.
Related article: Why Are My Bell Peppers so Small? 6 Common Problems and Ways to Avoid Them!
How to Plant Bell Peppers?
We discussed when to plant bell peppers in Texas above, but many beginner farmers might still be confused about the correct way of growing bell peppers.
Thus, here is a guide on the method of farming bell peppers.
Planting the Bell Pepper Seeds
While you wait for the best frost window to plant the bell peppers, it is time to plant the bell pepper seeds indoors and grow them.
So, how long does it take for bell peppers to grow?
It takes about 40–60 days to grow the seeds into seedlings and transplant them outdoors, depending upon the type of bell pepper.
This way, you can filter out the weak ones and keep the healthy bell pepper seedlings.
After the last frost fall, it is time to move the bell pepper seedlings outdoors. Do this by introducing your plants outdoors for an hour and gradually increasing the time to 8 hours. This technique increases the plant’s ability to fight the weather, insects, and other factors.
Watering
Thoroughly water the seedlings in your outdoor garden as soon as you transfer them.
However, it would be best not to overwater—it can cause the decay of the plants.
Staking the Bell Pepper Plants
When the plants start growing longer, they may need support to grow further.
So, create a trellis to stake the bell pepper plants.
While making a trellis, choose firm but not too thick sticks. It will help if you work on a structure immediately after planting them outside.
Spacing the Plants
Another essential thing to remember while farming not just bell pepper but every other crop is to space them appropriately.
The plants should not be too close or too far. Remember to give them at least 3 feet of even spacing so that every plant gets sufficient growing space.
Using Fertilizers
Many farmers prefer using fertilizers to get better yields.
While it is true that fertilizers increase production, you must be careful using them. The fertilizer should not exceed the recommended pH level, or it might affect the fertility of the soil in the long run.
You should consider using natural compost manure instead of chemicals.
Harvesting
This is the most awaited stage of farming bell peppers.
It is now time to yield the results of your hard work and patience.
Depending on the type of bell pepper you planted, they should start producing fruits within 8–10 weeks of transferring them outdoors.
Pick the ripped peppers from the stem using a pair of scissors.
The quality and quantity of bell pepper heavily depend upon the seeds, fertilizers, technique, soil quality, and weather.
A Technique that Increases the Yield!
Some farmers use a technique called topping to increase the production of bell peppers. Now, let’s learn how it is done.
Topping
For the topping, the tip of the main stem of the bell pepper plant is pinched off (like in pruning). This helps to promote the growth of multiple branches and thus increases the production of fruits.
That would be all for today’s article!
Conclusion
I hope now you know when to plant bell peppers in Texas.
Warm Texan weather is very suitable for farming bell peppers. Given that, it is imperative to watch the local climate to plant peppers appropriately.
In the spring season, watch out for the last frost date but do not plant them too late, or the fruits may not be developed while harvesting.
We also explored the method of correctly farming bell peppers.
The key is to be careful of the weather while planting any crops. Some farmers also prefer performing topping or pruning to ensure more production.
We hope this article was able to answer your queries. Leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Regards,
Happy gardening!