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| source: MIgardener |
Yolo Wonder is an heirloom sweet bell pepper introduced by Campbell Soup in 1952. It has a mild flavor and crisp juicy flesh. Yolo Wonder produces large 4-5" peppers that grow from the branches and hang down. It's large with thick skin and will turn from dark green to bright red when mature.
Pepper seeds can be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds 1/2" deep in pots with growing mix and place on a warm seedling mat or in a warm area that is 70 to 85 degrees with bright light. Peppers are similar to tomatoes and require relatively warm temperatures to germinate and grow quickly. Fertilize every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, when the outdoor garden soil has warmed, harden off the seedlings and plant them 16" apart in full sun. The 2' tall plant may require staking or a cage for support. It's best to put the support in place when the plants are first transplanted so the roots will not be damaged later.
These peppers can be grown in containers but since they have moderately large root systems, the containers need to be at least 14 inches deep, the deeper the better in terms of productivity. They will need at least five-gallon pots that you have drilled holes for good drainage. Using white buckets helps to reflect the sun and prevent roots from overheating. Fill with commercial potting mixes or making your own from equal parts of perlite, compost, and potting soil. Dry soil is disastrous for peppers; it will slow or even stop production. Your challenge will be to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and keep weeds down. When watering soak the soil to a depth of at least 6" so the soil stays moist but never soggy. Mulching can help to provide uniform moisture, conserve water, and reduce weeds.
Starting early in the growing season fertilize with a weak solution of a balanced liquid fertilizer, a time-release release fertilizer, or fish emulsion. Too much nitrogen will create plants with lush foliage and few peppers.
Harvest peppers when they are very firm and green or wait until they are fully mature and red in color.
-Phyllis
Pepper seeds can be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds 1/2" deep in pots with growing mix and place on a warm seedling mat or in a warm area that is 70 to 85 degrees with bright light. Peppers are similar to tomatoes and require relatively warm temperatures to germinate and grow quickly. Fertilize every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, when the outdoor garden soil has warmed, harden off the seedlings and plant them 16" apart in full sun. The 2' tall plant may require staking or a cage for support. It's best to put the support in place when the plants are first transplanted so the roots will not be damaged later.
These peppers can be grown in containers but since they have moderately large root systems, the containers need to be at least 14 inches deep, the deeper the better in terms of productivity. They will need at least five-gallon pots that you have drilled holes for good drainage. Using white buckets helps to reflect the sun and prevent roots from overheating. Fill with commercial potting mixes or making your own from equal parts of perlite, compost, and potting soil. Dry soil is disastrous for peppers; it will slow or even stop production. Your challenge will be to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and keep weeds down. When watering soak the soil to a depth of at least 6" so the soil stays moist but never soggy. Mulching can help to provide uniform moisture, conserve water, and reduce weeds.
Starting early in the growing season fertilize with a weak solution of a balanced liquid fertilizer, a time-release release fertilizer, or fish emulsion. Too much nitrogen will create plants with lush foliage and few peppers.
Harvest peppers when they are very firm and green or wait until they are fully mature and red in color.
-Phyllis
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