Capsicum Mini Bell Mix

🌱 GROWING CAPSICUM FROM SEED

Capsicums are warm-season, frost-sensitive perennials often grown as annuals. They thrive in Australia’s varied climates with a bit of planning, especially in cooler regions. Capsicum needs warmth to germinate and fruit well, so starting them early and giving them the right conditions will set you up for a productive season.

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📦 SOWING FROM SEED

🪴 In Trays (Best for Most Climates)

Starting capsicum seeds in trays gives you more control over the conditions they need to germinate and establish which is especially important in cooler areas.

How to sow:

1. Seed raising mix: Use a good quality, free-draining seed-raising mix.
2. Depth: Sow seeds about 5mm deep.
3. Warmth: Keep trays in a warm spot (21–27°C) to germinate. A heat mat is ideal if starting indoors.
4. Light: Once germinated (7–21 days), move seedlings to a sunny windowsill or greenhouse.
5. Potting up: Transplant to individual pots when the first true leaves appear. This gives them room to grow strong roots before going into the garden.

Transplanting out:

• Harden off seedlings over a week before planting out.
• Choose a spot with full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
• Transplant when seedlings are 10–15cm tall and all frost risk has passed.

🌱 Direct Sowing (Only in Warm Climates)

In warmer parts of Australia, like coastal QLD or the Top End, you can direct sow capsicum once the soil warms up above 20°C.

Tips for success:

• Sow in well-prepared soil, 5mm deep, spaced 30–40cm apart.
• Water in gently and keep moist while germinating.
• Thin to the strongest seedlings once they emerge.

That said, direct sowing is trickier with capsicum, as they germinate slowly and are sensitive to cold snaps so tray sowing is usually the safer bet.

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🌿 COMPANION PLANTING GUIDE

Capsicum fits beautifully into a mixed garden bed and plays well with others, though it does have its favourites!

🌼 Best companions:

• Basil: Helps repel aphids, spider mites, and thrips—plus, they thrive in similar conditions.
• Marigold: Deters nematodes and beetles.
• Carrots & radish: Make use of the space around the base of pepper plants.
• Spinach & lettuce: Offer a living mulch while the capsicum canopy fills in.
• Onions & spring onions: Help deter pests without competing much.

🚫 Plants to avoid:

• Fennel: It inhibits the growth of many vegetables, including capsicum.
• Beans: They can tangle and compete for space and light.
• Brassicas (like broccoli or cabbage): Different nutrient and water needs.

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🌸 GROWING TIPS FOR A STRONG CROP

• Full sun: 6–8 hours a day is ideal. Capsicums won’t thrive in shade.
• Soil: Loose, fertile, and well-drained. Mix in compost or aged manure before planting.
• Mulch: Use straw or sugarcane mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Deep, infrequent watering is better than shallow and frequent.
• Feeding: Once flowers appear, feed with a liquid fertiliser high in potassium (like a tomato food).
• Staking: Tall varieties or heavily fruited plants may need support.

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🌶️ HARVESTING

Capsicums can be picked green or left to ripen to red, yellow, orange or even purple depending on the variety. Ripening on the plant enhances flavour and vitamin content.

Pick regularly to encourage more fruit. Use scissors or secateurs to avoid breaking the branches.

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🌾 SEED SAVING GUIDE

Saving seeds from capsicum is quite straightforward, and well worth doing. 🌟

🧬 Choose the Right Plant

• Use healthy, disease-free plants with vigorous growth and tasty, well-shaped fruit.
• Allow fruit to fully ripen on the plant as the riper the fruit, the more mature the seeds.

✂️ Harvesting Seeds

1. Cut open the ripe capsicum and scrape out the seeds.
2. Place seeds in a fine sieve and rinse off the pith and pulp.
3. Lay seeds out in a single layer on paper towel or a mesh screen.
4. Leave to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded spot for 5–10 days, turning occasionally.

📦 Storing Seeds

• Store fully dry seeds in a labelled paper envelope or glass jar with a moisture absorber (like silica gel or dry rice).
• Keep in a cool, dark, and dry place—ideally a pantry or cupboard.
• Viable for 3–5 years when stored well.

🐝 A Note on Cross-Pollination

Capsicums are self-pollinating but can cross with other varieties nearby, especially with other Capsicum annuum types (like chillies). If you’re saving seed and want to maintain purity:

• Grow different varieties at least 5–10 metres apart, or
• Bag a few flowers before they open and hand-pollinate.

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🧤 PESTS & PROBLEMS

Capsicum is generally low maintenance but can be nibbled on by a few garden visitors:

• Aphids: Often gather on tender new growth. Spray with water or neem oil.
• Fruit fly: Particularly in warmer regions so use exclusion bags or traps.
• Snails & slugs: Protect young seedlings with barriers or night patrols.
• Sunscald: Pale, soft patches on exposed fruit combat by maintaining a healthy leaf canopy for natural shade.

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✨ FINAL THOUGHTS

Growing capsicum from seed may require a little patience early on, but once they’re in the ground and the weather warms up, they just keep on giving. Whether you’re after glossy greens or rainbow-coloured bells, fresh homegrown capsicums are a joy to harvest—and even better when you’ve saved the seeds yourself for next year.

So, tuck those seeds into a warm tray, keep your eyes peeled for fruit fly, and maybe pop a basil plant or two nearby and your summer garden will thank you. 🌶️💚

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