Grand Bell Mix

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweet, glossy bell peppers in a vivid Grand Bell Mix—fragrant and juicy with a crisp, tender crunch—arrive in a rainbow of colors that brightens every garden bed.

Fruits are thick-walled and well-shaped, with a satisfying snap that holds up beautifully for fresh use and for roasting to bring out their naturally mellow sweetness. Grow this mix for an easy, showy harvest at about 75 days, when plants reward you with an abundant parade of garden-ripe bells.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Grand Bell Mix

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These thick-walled bells bring a crisp snap and real juiciness even when sliced thin, so they stay pleasant in cold applications and don’t collapse into pepper water. Roast them until blistered and the flavor shifts toward mellow, rounded sweetness—ideal for stuffing or charred strips that can handle bold, salty partners like Parmesan or goat cheese.

Best Uses

raw rainbow slices on salads where you want crunch that won’t turn watery
hot-pan or grill-roasted strips for blistered, sweet char and juicy bite
stuff-and-bake filling where the walls stay firm
quick sauté in olive oil/garlic for a glossy, snappy vegetable base

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow peppery taste juicy with a crisp, tender crunch thick-walled with a clean, fragrant aroma roasty sweetness that turns softly caramel-like at the edges

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic balsamic vinegar Parmesan goat cheese chicken sausage

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly hit Capsicum annuum (bell peppers), and how can I stop them early?

Watch for aphids and hornworms; aphids cluster on new growth and hornworms leave large leaf damage. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray and use insecticidal soap as needed, while hand-picking hornworms and checking leaves daily helps most. Also prevent blossom-end rot (a common Ca uptake issue) by keeping soil moisture steady—mulch and avoid letting beds swing between dry and soggy.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the main growing phase?

During active fruiting, water deeply about 1–2 times per week to keep the top 2–4 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Aim for roughly 1 inch per week total (more during hot spells), and water at the soil line rather than wetting leaves to reduce disease pressure.

How do I tell when a bell pepper from Capsicum annuum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach the expected size and feel firm, usually around 70–80 days after transplanting (about 75 days to maturity for your mix). Green peppers can be picked for a milder flavor, but for full sweetness and color, leave them on the plant until they turn their mature color and the skin is glossy.