Pepper - Sweet Big Red

This "Sweet Big Red" Bell Pepper is an open-pollinated heirloom. Seeds Per Packet: .400mg approx. 50 seeds Other Names: Pepper, sweet pepper, red pepper, bell pepper Days to Maturity: 75 days Hardiness Zone: 4-10 Planting Depth: 1/4” Plant Spacing: 12-24” in rows; 14-16” in raised beds Row Spacing: 2-3’ Growth Habit: 24-36” tall; 4” bell-shaped peppers with 3 to 4 lobes Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained loamy soil; slightly acidic to neutral pH Temp Preference: 70-84 degrees F Light Preference: Full sun Pests/diseases: Aphids, European corn borer, Anthracnose fruit rot, Phytophthora blight, whiteflies, cutworms, pepper maggots, Colorado potato beetles, tarnished plant bug, Verticillium wilt, mosaic virus, blossom end rot Color: Green to red fruit; green foliage Flavor: Sweet, mild Because pepper plants prefer warm weather, sweet bell pepper seeds should be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your USDA hardiness zone. After transplanting the bell pepper seedlings into the garden, the bell pepper plants will first produce white flowers before setting the fruit. While sweet bell peppers are botanically considered a fruit, they are used in recipes as a vegetable. Red bell peppers can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often chopped and used in fresh salads, sauteed with onions for use on sausage, and used as a topping on pizza. In addition, the primary ingredient in paprika is dried, powdered red bell pepper. They are also great for stuffing. Red bell peppers have a significant amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and they are an excellent source of antioxidants, making them a delicious addition to a healthy diet.