Yolo Wonder

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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Sun-warmed and glossy, Yolo Wonder bell peppers ripen to a rich, deep green that turns to a vivid, sweet red with a satisfying, crisp snap.

Their thick, smooth walls hold a clean, mild sweetness—ideal for fresh crunch, bright salads, and vibrant roasting for caramelized color and tender bite. Grow one of the most dependable sweet bell types for home gardens, with plants that stay productive through the season and fruits that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

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Yolo Wonder Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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

Yolo Wonder bell peppers have thick, smooth walls that stay crisp under heat, so you get sweet flavor plus satisfying bite instead of watery softness. Roast or broil them until blistered and browned—those caramel edges make them taste almost candy-sweet without losing structure.

Best Uses

raw crunch in hearty salads and slaws
roasting or broiling for caramelized color and tender bite
stir-fries where you want pepper snap instead of mush
stuffing and baking for a sweet, structural wall

Flavor Profile

clean, mild sweetness crisp, thick-walled crunch sun-roasted vegetal flavor with caramelized edges

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic black pepper feta chicken breast balsamic vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common problem for Capsicum annuum (Yolo Wonder) and how do I fix it?

A very common issue is blossom-end rot, which shows up as dark, sunken patches on the bottom of the pepper fruit. Keep soil moisture consistent during flowering and fruit set, and water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out rather than letting it swing dry-to-wet. If the problem appears, avoid excess nitrogen and consider a calcium source labeled for vegetables to help stabilize cell development.

How often should I water Yolo Wonder peppers during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruiting, Capsicum annuum performs best with evenly moist soil—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and soil type. Water so the root zone is soaked, then wait until the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry before watering again to prevent splitting and disease. Mulch around plants to reduce moisture swings, which directly affects fruit quality.

How can I tell when Yolo Wonder peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and the color turns to the mature shade for your crop (often green to red, depending on how you grow and label the variety). Yolo Wonder peppers are commonly ready around 75 days from transplanting and should feel firm with a glossy skin. If you want milder flavor, harvest while fully green and sized; for sweeter flavor, leave on the plant until they deepen in color.