What fertilizer works best for bell peppers?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.The type of fertilizer you use is crucial to the growth and harvest of your bell peppers. Begin with a balanced fertilizer of 10-10-10, as flowers bloom. A 5-10-5 high in phosphorus will result in greater fruit. The two-stage fertilizer approach enables nursery plants to progress through the delicate blossom stage with improved results.
Compost Tea
- Apply every 2 weeks during growing season
- Brew for 24-48 hours before use
- Dilute to weak tea color before application
Fish Emulsion
- Dilute 1:4 with water
- Apply as soil drench every 3 weeks
- Avoid foliar spraying to prevent leaf burn
Worm Castings
- Side-dress 1 cup monthly per plant
- Work gently into topsoil
- Combine with mulch to retain moisture
Time applications with stages of plant development. Fertilize the plant as soon as it is planted to help establish its roots. Hold off during the early weeks of growth. Apply again when the flowering starts. I use the fertilizer after watering to prevent burning the young roots. Desist altogether for four weeks before frost is due.
Do not over- or under-fertilize. A white crust of salt indicates excessive fertilizer; dark green, leafy plants with few or no fruits indicate excessive nitrogen. Weak growth and pale green leaves indicate insufficient fertilizer; a soil test will recommend the necessary nutrients.
Mix your fertilizers to reap the best benefits. Generally, you should use synthetic fertilizers for the most accurate NPK ratios during critical stages. You can supplement them with organics for an added dose of micronutrients as well. For instance, I use a 5-10-5 fertilizer at flowering, along with worm castings applied once a month. That'll give you thick-walled peppers right there!
Adjust fertilization for container plants. Potted peppers require more frequent feeding due to their limited soil space. Feed with a half-strength liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Watch for any signs of nutrient deficiency, such as purple stems, which indicate a phosphorus shortage.
Once you've set up your feed, start observing your plants regularly and look for the signs they send you. Happy plants make dark green leaves and steady growth. Yellowing lower leaves? Maybe a shot of nitrogen is needed. Slow fruit development? Probably phosphorus. And the more you observe the signs of your plants, the more you'll know what they need for the next feed.
Read the full article: How to Grow Bell Peppers Successfully
