Melrose

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sun-warmed and glossy, Melrose sweet peppers bring a crisp, juicy snap with a gently sweet, garden-fresh flavor—never the bite of heat.

Fruits mature in a handsome progression from deep green to a rich, burnished red, with thick walls that hold their shape beautifully for sweet frying favorites. Grow Melrose for abundant, uniform peppers that shine in the garden and deliver satisfying crunch in every pan-ready moment.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 6th
Harvest Begins	Aug 20th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Cage
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

Melrose sweet peppers are built for the pan: thick walls, high crunch, and a sweetness that caramelizes without tipping into bitterness. They’ll hold shape in a hot stir-fry or roast, so every bite stays snappy instead of going soft and watery.

Best Uses

sweet frying—quick sizzle in hot oil for maximum crunch
slice-and-sear fajita-style strips without turning mushy
roast for caramelized edges while keeping interior firm
raw batons in crunchy crudités with a salty dip

Flavor Profile

crisp, juicy snap gentle sweetness green-to-sweet bell pepper flavor thick, sturdy flesh that stays intact

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil lime juice cumin chicken feta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem most often affects Capsicum annuum (Melrose) and how can I manage it?

In home gardens, hot-pepper types like Capsicum annuum are commonly hit by aphids and then secondary black sooty mold, and they can also develop blossom-end rot from inconsistent calcium uptake during rapid growth. Check leaves and new growth twice weekly for clusters of aphids and blast them off with water, then release or encourage beneficial insects; if infestations persist, use insecticidal soap on the undersides of leaves. Prevent blossom-end rot by keeping soil moisture steady (especially once fruits set) and avoid letting containers or beds dry out between waterings.

How often should I water Melrose (Capsicum annuum) during the main growing and fruiting phase?

During flowering and fruiting, keep the root zone evenly moist—typically about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and wind. Water deeply so moisture reaches well into the bed, then wait until the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil is slightly dry before watering again. Mulch around plants to reduce swings; moisture fluctuations are a frequent trigger for blossom-end rot.

How do I tell when Melrose peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest Melrose peppers at the size and color you want, but for best flavor on this ~75-day crop, pick when fruits reach full length and turn from green to red (or your target mature color). Use pruners or scissors to cut the stem, leaving a short piece of stem attached, which reduces damage to the plant and helps the next fruits mature. If peppers feel firm and glossy with consistent color for the whole fruit, they’re ready—don’t let them over-soften on the plant.