Islander

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweet, thick-walled bell peppers with a glossy, sunlit sheen—‘Islander’ delivers a rich, crisp bite and a juicy, aromatic sweetness that feels almost honeyed straight from the garden.

At maturity, fruits develop into bold, blocky bells with deep green beginnings and a vivid transition to warm red, holding their shape beautifully for standout color in every planting. Grow ‘Islander’ for fresh market-style appeal and for vibrant sauces and roasting-ready flavor that shines when you want pepper character front and center.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Bush

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

Islander bell peppers lean sweet and crisp with a thick wall, so they don’t collapse into mush when heat hits—they roast into tender, char-kissed slabs that still taste distinctly like pepper. Use them when you want the flavor up front (raw crunch, blistered roasts, or a red-pepper-forward sauce) rather than hiding them in the background.

Best Uses

slice for raw eating—stand up to chunky salads without going watery
roast whole or in thick slabs for charred edges and spoonable, soft flesh
stir-fry or quick-sauté where it keeps its blocky shape
blend into glossy sauce after roasting for a sweet pepper-forward base

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness crisp, thick-walled crunch juicy, lightly aromatic peppery bite bright, clean finish with light vegetal snap

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lime smoked paprika grilled chicken feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Capsicum annuum (bell-pepper type) and how do I treat it?

Watch for aphids and spider mites, which commonly show up on Capsicum annuum under warm, dry conditions and cause leaf speckling or curling. Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water, then use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, targeting the undersides of leaves. For disease, prevent early blight by keeping foliage dry (water at the soil line) and removing any spotted leaves promptly.

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

During the 60–80 day fruiting period, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy: water when the top 1 inch of soil dries out. Aim for deep watering that wets the root zone, typically every 3–5 days depending on heat, with less frequent watering during cool or rainy spells. Uneven moisture can lead to blossom-end rot in peppers, so avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to very wet.

How can I tell when my Capsicum annuum is ready to harvest?

Harvest at full size when the fruit reaches the mature color for your type (often green to red, depending on what you’re growing) and feels firm with a glossy skin. A good rule is to start checking around 75–80 days after transplanting, since Capsicum annuum often takes about 80 days to mature. Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the fruit with a short stem to avoid tearing the plant.