Use these gardening tips on how to grow bell peppers from seed. Includes tips for starting seeds indoors & direct sowing them in your garden.
Bell peppers are great to use in all kinds of recipes. They are wonderful in fajitas, excellent mixed with eggs, and delicious in casseroles. Growing bell peppers indoors to start can give them a jump start on their long growing season. Grow this kitchen staple in your garden this year with these tips on how to grow bell pepper from seed.
How to Grow Bell Peppers from Seed
Bell peppers have a long growing season from seed to harvest. This is why many people opt to start them indoors. Growing bell peppers from seed is a simple process. Just start them 8 weeks before you plan on putting them outdoors. If you live in a cooler climate this will be before the last frost.
First, speed up the process of germination by soaking your seeds in warm water. Just place some warm water in a bowl and allow your seeds to sit in the water for a couple of hours. This makes them easier to germinate because it helps remove some of the protective coatings that they have.
Now, place some loose seed starting soil in each section of a seed starting tray. Make sure the soil drains well. Seed starting mix is specifically made for starting seedlings and is the ideal choice.
Poke your finger into the soil about ½ inch. Place a seed into each section and cover with some more seed starting mix. Water, but do not soak your seeds for best results.
Your soil will need to be warm to germinate quickly and effectively. I recommend getting a seed starting warming mat. This is essentially a heating pad for your plants as they germinate. You will also want to set them in a warm spot. You can cover them with some plastic wrap loosely if you want to try to keep the warmth in and create a greenhouse effect for them.
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