Types of Capcicum by Heat Level

*also called Pepper

HOW TO GROW CAPSICUM OR PEPPER

Beginner Success Formula

1. Buy healthy seedlings
2. Plant after frost risk
3. Use compost-rich soil
4. Give full sun
5. Water consistently
6. Feed regularly
7. Mulch heavily in summer

This usually gives very reliable harvests in Sydney’s climate.

1. Choose a Variety

Easy beginner varieties:

• California Wonder
• Yolo Wonder
• Bullhorn
• Mini snack peppers
• Banana pepper

For chillies:

• Thai chilli
• Jalapeño
• Cayenne

2. Growing Timeline

Month	Growth Stage	Tasks
July	Preparation Stage	Choose a sunny warm spot. Prepare soil with compost and well-rotted manure. Clean pots and seed trays if growing in containers.
August	Seed Starting Stage	Sow seeds indoors or in protected warm area. Keep soil warm and moist for germination.
September	Seedling Stage	Seedlings appear. Give plenty of light. Transplant into larger pots if crowded. Start hardening off plants outdoors gradually.
October	Transplanting Stage	Plant seedlings into garden or large pots after weather warms. Add mulch and water well.
November	Vegetative Growth Stage	Plants grow leaves and branches quickly. Feed with balanced fertilizer. Stake plants if needed.
December	Flowering Stage	Flowers appear. Water consistently. Encourage pollination by gently shaking plants or attracting bees.
January	Fruit Development Stage	Small capsicums form and grow larger. Continue feeding and watering regularly during hot weather.
February	Harvest Stage Begins	Harvest green capsicums or leave longer for red/yellow/orange colour. Pick regularly to encourage more fruit.
March	Heavy Harvest Stage	Continue harvesting mature fruits. Remove damaged leaves or fruits. Feed lightly if plants still producing.
April	Late Production Stage	Growth slows in cooler weather. Protect plants from cold nights. Harvest remaining fruits.
May	Final Harvest Stage	Pick final capsicums before cold weather arrives. Remove unhealthy plants and clean growing area.
June	Rest & Soil Recovery	Add compost to garden beds. Rotate crops to reduce pests and disease next season.

3. Soil & Pots

• Soil: Rich, loose soil & good drainage (6.0-6.8ph).
• Use at least a 20–30 L pot & premium potting mix
• Ensure strong drainage

4. Planting

For beginners in Sydney, buying seedlings is usually much easier and faster than starting from seed.

Good Seedlings,

• Thick stems
• Dark green leaves
• Compact growth
• No flowers yet
• No yellow leaves
• No insect damage

Ideal size:

• About 10–20 cm tall
• 4–8 true leaves

In Garden Beds,

• Space plants 40–50 cm apart
• Rows about 60 cm apart

**To start from raising seeds, refer to this post.

5. Sun & Watering

Capsicum needs:

• 6–8+ hours full sun daily
• Warm sheltered position
• Protection from strong cold winds
• More sun = sweeter and larger fruit.

Watering

• Keep soil: Evenly moist. Never waterlogged. Never bone dry.
• In the Sydney summer: Water deeply 2–4 times weekly. Mulch helps reduce heat stress
• Irregular watering can cause: blossom end rot, fruit cracking, flower drop

6. Support the Plant

Large fruit varieties may need:

• Stakes
• Small cages
• Soft ties
• This prevents branches snapping.

7. Feeding

When preparing the soil, add:

• Organic vegetable fertilizer
• Compost
• Aged manure (avoid fresh manure)

Feed every 2–3 weeks with:

• Tomato fertilizer
• Seaweed solution
• Compost tea

Once flowering starts, use higher potassium fertilizer. Too much nitrogen = lots of leaves but fewer fruits.

8. Common Problems

Problem	Cause
Flowers dropping	Cold nights or heat stress
Small fruit	Lack of sun or nutrients
Yellow leaves	Overwatering
Sunburn	Extreme summer heat
Aphids	Warm humid weather

9. Harvesting

• Green for earlier picking
• Red/yellow/orange when fully ripe and sweeter
• Typical timing: 70–100 days after planting
• Regular harvesting encourages more fruit.

10. Storage

Capsicum stores best when kept cool, dry, and unwashed until ready to use.

Refrigerator Storage for Whole Fresh One

Best method:

• Do not wash before storing
• Keep dry
• Place in vegetable crisper drawer
• Use paper towel or perforated bag

Storage life:

• Green capsicum: 1–2 weeks
• Red/yellow/orange: about 1 week

Cut Capsicum

After cutting:

• Remove seeds
• Store in airtight container
• Add paper towel to absorb moisture

Best used within:

• 3–5 days

Freezing Capsicum

Capsicum freezes very well for cooking.

How:

1. Wash and dry
2. Remove seeds
3. Slice or dice
4. Freeze on tray first
5. Transfer to freezer bag

Storage life:

• 6–12 months

Drying Chillies

Capsicum freezes very well for cooking.

Small chillies can be:

• Air dried
• Oven dried
• Dehydrated

Then stored in airtight jars for months.

(Source: chatGPT)