King Arthur Bell Pepper is an F1 hybrid bred for speed and abundance, delivering large green or red bells in just 59 days from transplants. This compact plant powers through the early season with vigor, rewarding gardeners who start seeds indoors 8 weeks before their last frost. The variety thrives in warm soil and responds beautifully to simple season-extension techniques like black plastic mulch and row covers, making it especially valuable in shorter growing regions where getting peppers to mature before cold weather arrives feels like winning a race against time.
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Early maturity at 59 days from transplants sets King Arthur apart for gardeners in cooler climates or those eager for harvests before summer peaks. The compact growth habit fits snugly into raised beds and containers without sprawling, while built-in resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot and Potato Virus Y means fewer disease headaches compared to open-pollinated varieties. Johnny's Selected Seeds developed this hybrid specifically for commercial early production, and that breeding focus translates to reliable, prolific yields even under less-than-perfect conditions.
King Arthur Bell Peppers are harvested at the full mature stage, whether you prefer them green or wait for the final color shift to red. The large bell shape and firm walls make them excellent for stuffing, roasting, or eating raw in salads. Their early maturity and compact growth made them popular with market growers seeking to supply fresh peppers to early-season buyers before larger, later varieties arrive.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors in late March or approximately 8 weeks before your intended transplant date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep at a rate of 4 seeds per inch in shallow flats or 20-row trays. Maintain soil temperature at 80 to 90°F for best germination, as pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. When first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into 2-inch cell-type containers or 4-inch pots and grow at approximately 70°F during the day and 60°F at night. Seedlings are ready to transplant outdoors when they develop small buds but have not yet flowered.
Transplant out after your last frost date when soil temperature is warm and weather is settled. Space plants 12 inches apart. Using black plastic mulch and lightweight fabric row covers supported by wire hoops buffers cold weather and increases earliness; remove covers in sunny weather above 85°F to prevent blossom drop and heat damage.
King Arthur peppers mature in 59 days from transplant, reaching full size and color. Harvest at the mature green stage or wait for color development to red, depending on your preference. Pick peppers when they reach full size and have thick, firm walls, using a knife or sharp pruners to cut the fruit rather than pulling it off the plant, which can damage branches.
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