Bell Pepper

Soil Type: Bernow fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Glossic Paleudalf. Other soils in the region are more or less sandy. A clay hardpan can exist close to the soil surface.

Location: Lane, Oklahoma.

Fertilizer:                       Typical residue in spring (lbs/Acre):

 Typical soil pH: 5-5.5

Add all fertilizer preplant at rates recommended by soil tests. A starter fertilizer, normally a soluble product, is added at transplanting.

Soil preparation: After soil is prepared beds are formed. Because soils warm up quickly mulching is not necessary.

Row and plant spacing:

Beds on 3 foot centers: A single row with 18 inches between plants.

Beds on 6 foot centers: Two rows spaced 18 inches apart with 18 inches between plants.

Transplanting: Spring planting window 15 April to 7 May using 6-week-old transplants.

Harvest: The crown fruit are largest and are formed at the first branching juncture. Normally there are three harvests spaced 7-days apart. The first harvest takes place when the crown fruit meets or exceeds US #1 grade.

Water:This is the single most important factor in bell pepper production. It is beneficial to apply water at transplanting. A minimum of 2 inches of water per week is required during the growing season. If it is drier than normal than additional water will be required. Water can be supplied by overhead or drip irrigation.

Variations on the system:

Single harvest: Instead of harvesting three times it might be advantageous to harvest once. The pepper pod will continue to add weight by increasing wall thickness and fruit size. For this option wait to harvest approximately 7-days after the first fruit reach USDA Grade US # 1.

Late summer transplanting: A late-July to mid-August transplanting window can be used with expectation of a harvest. This allows two crops in the year.