Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

206

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Ajvarski, sweet

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Sweet roasting pepper (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

80-90°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain even moisture through flowering and fruit development

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

About 2 ft

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

Rare Seeds; University of Minnesota Extension; 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 8–10 weeks before last frost; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 10
Germination Time: About 7–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 80–90 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5+ gal per plant
Pollinator Friendly: Self-pollinating; bees may improve fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary sweet pepper
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One early indoor sowing; save seed only from fully mature fruit and isolate if varietal purity matters.
Zone 6B Notes: Start early so fruit has time to ripen fully red before fall frost.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, lettuce, alyssum and marigolds
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Cold soil slows growth. Rotate away from other nightshades. Fruit is traditionally harvested fully red for roasting/ajvar.
Sources: Rare Seeds: https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-sweet-ajvarski | University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-peppers | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors early because Ajvarski is a warm-season pepper. Transplant approximately 2 weeks after May 5 when nights and soil have warmed.
Germination: Use warm pepper-starting conditions around 80-90°F.
Harvest: Allow the broad wedge-shaped peppers to ripen from green to deep red for maximum sweetness and traditional roasting quality.
Seed Saving: Ajvarski is sold as an open-pollinated/heirloom sweet pepper. Save seed from fully mature red fruit and isolate from compatible peppers if purity matters.
Special Care: Ajvarski produces thick-fleshed 6-7 inch peppers traditionally roasted, peeled and ground to make Balkan ajvar.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-sweet-ajvarski — Capsicum annuum identity, approximately 2-foot plants, 6-7 inch wedge-shaped pods, green-to-red ripening, thick flesh, roasting use, ajvar use and container suitability
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/peppers/peppers-key-growing-information.html — 8-week-plus pepper indoor-start culture, 80-90°F germination temperature, depth, spacing and transplant timing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]