Pepper (bell, Chile)

Program OverviewThe Plant Pathology Program provides applied research and outreach to support agricultural production across Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego counties. This tri-county region encompasses a wide diversity of crops and growing conditions—from the desert-irrigated systems of Imperial Valley to…

Start your seeds 6 to 8 weeks before you plan to transplant them into the garden. Peppers grow best when the soil is warmed and daytime temperatures are regularly over 75ºF, typically late April or May in Santa Clara County. Temperatures below 50º–55ºF cause flowers to abort or the fruits to be misshapen.

Our annual Spring Garden Fair is held at our Martial Cottle Park Demonstration Garden in San Jose. You can shop our plant sale, stroll through our gardens, attend a talk, and bring your plant, soil, pest, and tool questions to our Information tables.