When to plant Sweet Peppers in Durham

Capsicum annuum

Sweet Pepper
Sweet Pepper · Capsicum annuum

Sweet peppers are tender annuals that produce crisp, colourful fruits with a mild flavour. Native to Central and South America, they thrive in warm, sunny positions and are commonly grown under glass in the UK to ensure reliable cropping, though they can succeed outdoors in sheltered spots during particularly warm summers.

75 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Durham · average last frost around 10 May

Sow indoors February to March, plant out June, harvest July to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Step by step guide to growing sweet peppers outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    9 Feb to 1 Mar

    Fill seed trays with peat-free seed compost and sow seeds about deep around 9th February - 1st March. Cover lightly and water gently from below. Keep on a warm windowsill or in a propagator at .

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    11 Feb to 16 Mar Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When the first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into pots with peat-free compost. Keep in a bright, warm spot and water to keep moist.

  3. 03

    Pot On

    4 Mar to 8 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    As plants grow and roots fill the pots, move them to larger containers to develop strongly before planting out.

  4. 04

    Harden Off

    27 May to 9 Jun

    Harden plants off over 27th May - 9th June. Put them outside in a sheltered spot during the day and bring them in at night, gradually increasing exposure over about two weeks.

  5. 05

    Transplant Outdoors

    6 Jun to 20 Jun

    After all risk of frost has passed, plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Space apart and stake if needed. Protect from slugs with barriers.

  6. 06

    Pinch Out Growing Tips

    16 Jun to 14 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pinch out the tips when plants are high to promote bushiness and more fruits.

  7. 07

    Fertilise

    16 Jun to 28 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Once flowers form, feed every week with high-potash fertiliser. Water consistently and mist flowers in dry weather to aid fruit set.

  8. 08

    Harvest

    26 Jul to 3 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Harvest when fruits are full-sized, picking green or allowing to colour for sweetness. Keep picking to extend the crop.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Sweet Pepper to consider

California Wonder

A classic blocky bell pepper with thick, crisp flesh and a sweet flavour. It's a reliable cropper in UK greenhouses and also does well in a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors.

Gypsy

An early-maturing sweet pepper with elongated, pointed fruits that ripen from pale green to red. It's productive in cooler summers and is well-suited to growing in pots on a patio or in a greenhouse.

King of the North

A heritage variety bred for short, cool seasons, producing blocky fruits that ripen to a deep red. It copes with variable UK weather better than many bell peppers, making it a good choice for outdoor growing.

Marconi

An Italian-style sweet pepper with long, tapering fruits that are sweet and juicy. It's vigorous and heavy-cropping, and the thin walls cook down quickly, though it's also good eaten fresh in salads.

Ariane

A modern orange bell pepper that ripens early and consistently, even in cooler conditions. The fruits are sweet and crunchy, and the plants stay compact, so they suit smaller greenhouses or large containers.

Sweet Pepper guides by town

See how Sweet Pepper timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.