Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

163

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Sweet Bell Mix

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Mixed sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 24 – Mar 10

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

10 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-85°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain regular, even moisture during flowering and fruit development

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Ferry-Morse; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 65–85 days; individual colors may vary
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Small flowers; self-pollinating but bees may visit
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary sweet pepper
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One early indoor sowing; saved seed may cross with nearby pepper varieties.
Zone 6B Notes: Start early so slower plants in the mix have time to reach full color before frost.
Companion Plants: Basil, onions, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, parsley
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Different plants in a mix can mature at different times. Rotate away from other nightshades; keep soil warm and evenly moist.
Sources: Ferry-Morse: https://ferrymorse.com/products/pepper-grand-bell-mix-seeds | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 8-10 weeks before the May 5 frost date and transplant outdoors only after nights and soil have warmed.
Germination: Sweet bell peppers germinate best with steady bottom warmth around 75-85°F.
Harvest: Bell peppers can generally be harvested green or left on the plant until they develop their mature color and maximum sweetness. Exact mature colors depend on the cultivars included in the mix.
Seed Saving: Individual Capsicum annuum varieties in a mix can cross with each other and nearby compatible peppers. Saving seed will not reliably recreate the original commercial mix.
Special Care: The exact cultivars and color proportions in the Sweet Bell Mix are unknown, so cultivar-specific maturity, height and mature fruit colors are intentionally left null.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/peppers/sweet-bell-peppers/ — Capsicum annuum sweet bell pepper class and range of ripe bell-pepper colors
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/peppers/video-v188.html — approximately 8-week indoor start and 1/4-inch sowing depth for bell peppers
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]