New Gardener

[j.parson]

Hey all,

I've been growing a small vegetable garden in my backyard, but I've been thinking about planting some bell peppers next to my tomatoes. Would it be better to grow them in a pot indoors? Or would they be as delicious outdoors? I'm in sunny California- zone 10a.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Chris]

almost all plants go better outdoors. Especially plants that need to be pollinated.

[Mr Yan]

I second outdoors. Peppers are mainly wind pollinated so if in a still area you will need to tap the flowers to pollinate them.

10a sounds like freezing won't be much of a problem but heat could. I have found that my tomatoes and peppers slow down when the temps are much above 95F.

I have peppers around my tomatoes but I also sneak them into my flower beds in the front yard. I like the look of random red tabasco peppers like candle flames among daisies and purplecone flowers.

[j.parson]

Thanks guys for the advice. I've read that people have sown peppers from seeds taken from bell peppers bought at the store. Since we're heading into the cold season, I think I'll try growing them indoors first. I'm a real newbie when it comes to growing stuff, so I hope I can post some pictures of a SUCCESSFUL pepper garden! :p

[Mr Yan]

I collect and save seeds from the peppers I grow. This works no problem.

The only reason I would caution you on not starting from a bell pepper you pick up at a grocery store is chances are it was a hybrid plant. While there is nothing wrong with a hybrid plant they are not genetically stable and the traits of their offspring will vary greatly. For more on hybrids University of Illinois has a good artical to read (click here). (http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortihints/0102a.html)

[j.parson]

thank you so much mr. yan. reading it now. :)

[Mr Yan]

Not a problem j parson.

If you go out and buy a pack of seeds that pack could last you a life time by saving seeds. If you go out and buy an F1 hybrid I don't blame you, in fact I do it also each year. Either way pepper seeds will stay viable for 4 or 5 years if stored well so you can start a few plants this year and keep the rest for next year.

This year I grew six bell pepper plants and they yielded just shy of 11 lbs of peppers. Each of these peppers I would have been able to save seed from for next year. While I only saved seeds from two or three peppers this year I had more than enough to share seeds with several friends and neighbors. If you want to save seeds like this peppers are an easy choice.

[yvannj]

hi everyone gradening was one of my hobbies.
and makes me feel good whenever i saw me garden in our lawn. :)


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