Matures in 75 Days from Setting Out Transplants

Sweet peppers are a favorite home garden vegetable. Serve them raw on relish platters, in salads, fried, or stuffed. Fruits are approximately 4 inches in diameter by 4½ inches long, mostly 4-lobed, dark green ripening to red.

SOWING:
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before danger of frost is past. Plant seed 1 inch apart and cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil, well pressed down. Place seed starting tray in a very warm spot (both night and day) and cover with a frame of glass or polyethylene to preserve moisture until germination is complete. Then place tray in a warm sunny window.

THINNING:
When plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, transplant 2 inches apart in another tray. After danger of frost is past, transplant outdoors in rows 2 to 3 feet apart, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches in the row.

GERMINATION:
14 to 21 days depending on soil and temperature conditions.

REMARKS:
Many gardeners hold off heavy fertilization until the first blossom produces a small fruit which is picked off. Pepper plants will bear more fruit if kept picked and not allowed to ripen. Cut instead of pulling from plant to avoid injury.