Nova is a high-yielding orange bell pepper bred for speed and productivity. This F1 hybrid matures in just 60 days from transplants, making it one of the quickest paths to fresh, colorful peppers in the garden. The plants grow as compact bushes, ideal for containers or intensive garden beds, and they're bred to resist two serious viral threats: PMV and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. If you want reliable orange peppers without the wait, Nova delivers.
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Moderate
9-11
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High
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This hybrid produces abundant orange bells on naturally compact plants in under two months from transplant. The vigor is remarkable; Johnny's Selected Seeds reports an exceptional germination rate of approximately 950 plants per 1,000 seeds, suggesting robust genetics and reliable establishment. The breeding focused on disease resistance to PMV and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, two viruses that routinely derail pepper crops in humid climates or where aphids and thrips are present. For gardeners who want speed, disease protection, and consistent yields in a manageable plant size, Nova checks every box.
Nova peppers are fresh eating and culinary work-horses. The bright orange color and relatively quick maturity make them valuable for market gardeners and home cooks who want consistent, colorful harvests throughout the season. They work well raw in salads, roasted whole for a sweeter edge, or stuffed and baked.
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Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in warm, moist seed-starting mix and keep the soil temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination. Provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge to prevent leggy growth. Transplants are typically ready to go outdoors around 6 to 8 weeks after sowing, when they've developed their first true leaves and are 3 to 4 inches tall.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days by exposing them to outdoor light and wind before planting. Transplant once soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime air temps are consistently above 55 degrees. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows or in a grid pattern. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their pots; unlike tomatoes, peppers don't benefit from deep planting. Water immediately after transplanting and maintain consistent moisture as plants establish.
Nova peppers reach full maturity in 60 days from transplant and are harvestable once they turn from green to a glossy, vibrant orange. Check for firm skin and a waxy sheen as indicators of ripeness. Twist or cut peppers from the stem rather than pulling, which risks damaging the plant. You can harvest at any stage of color development, but the sweetest, most developed flavor arrives when the fruit is fully orange and firm. Continue harvesting throughout the season to encourage ongoing production.
Prune Nova plants to 2 to 4 main stems and trellis them upward on strings, similar to how greenhouse tomatoes are managed. This technique dramatically improves air circulation, reduces disease pressure, and concentrates the plant's energy into fruit production rather than excessive foliage. Pinch out the growing tip when plants are 6 to 8 inches tall to encourage branching, then select your strongest 2 to 4 stems and remove competing side growth. As the selected stems grow, tie them loosely to vertical strings using soft garden twine, allowing the plant to climb as it matures.
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