King Of The North

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, King Of The North bell peppers ripen into a bold, glossy red that feels almost lacquered in the garden.

The fruit is thick-walled and pleasantly crisp, with a classic bell shape and a gentle sweetness that shines whether you enjoy them fresh or let their flavor deepen in roasts and hearty sauces. An heirloom for cool-season gardeners, it brings dependable color and substantial bite at about 75 days to maturity—an elegant centerpiece crop from first blush to full, deep-red maturity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of King Of The North

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

Thick-walled and crisp, King Of The North holds up to heat without turning watery—your bites stay distinct, with glossy roasted edges and a mild, sun-sweet finish. It’s the bell pepper you want when you want char, crunch, and sweetness to show up on the plate together, not get lost in the sauce.

Best Uses

grilling or blistering and eating the charred skins immediately for maximum crunch
quick sauté of strips where they keep their shape, then finish with acid
thick roasting (sheet-pan) for jammy edges and glossy, spoonable pepper sweetness
diced into fajita-style fillings where the bite won’t collapse into mush

Flavor Profile

gentle sweetness with a soft green-bell edge crisp, thick-walled crunch that stays snappy roasty, caramel-leaning pepper aroma clean, mild pepper heat (more warmth than bite)

Kitchen Pairings

lime smoked paprika garlic olive oil feta chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Capsicum annuum (King of the North peppers) and how can I prevent or treat it?

A frequent issue is blossom end rot, caused by inconsistent calcium uptake from irregular watering. Keep moisture steady by watering deeply when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil dries, and mulch to reduce soil swings. If symptoms appear on developing fruit, remove affected peppers and resume consistent watering rather than adding extra fertilizer immediately.

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

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist—aim for deep watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, delivering enough to moisten the root zone. Check by feel: water when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) dries out, because Capsicum annuum drops flowers and struggles to set fruit when soil repeatedly dries. Avoid standing water, which can stress roots and worsen disease.

How do I tell when King of the North peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach their full size and turn to the mature color for the variety (often green to a red/yellow depending on your seed description). For a crisp, milder pepper, you can pick fully sized green peppers; for sweeter flavor, wait until the skin is fully colored and firm. Use scissors or pruners to cut the stem to avoid tearing the plant.