Caring for Bell Pepper

Bell peppers have moderate water needs but dislike both drought and waterlogging. Water regularly and consistently throughout the growing season, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist. In hot, dry spells from June to August you may need to water every day, especially for container-grown plants or those in greenhouses. Inconsistent watering causes blossom end rot (dark, sunken patches on the fruit base) and can lead to fruit splitting. Water at the base of the plant in the morning to keep foliage dry and reduce fungal disease risk. Feed every two weeks from May through July with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser, such as tomato feed, once the first fruits begin to form. Before that, a balanced general-purpose feed supports leafy growth. Stop feeding in August to allow plants to focus on ripening existing fruit. Bell peppers are not hardy and will not survive frost. In our climate they're grown as annuals; plants will die back with the first autumn frosts, so harvest all remaining fruit—even green ones—before cold weather arrives in October. If growing in pots, you can move plants under cover to extend the season slightly. Watch for aphids, which cluster on new growth and under leaves; spray with soapy water or squash by hand. Whitefly can be a problem in greenhouses—use yellow sticky traps and ensure good ventilation. Blossom end rot is a physiological disorder caused by calcium deficiency linked to irregular watering, not a disease. Maintain a 5 cm layer of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature throughout summer.