Cold Protection for Bell Peppers
Bell peppers (Capsicum spp.) are heat-loving plants that can add ornamental value to your garden. Grow them as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and up, or as annuals in cooler zones. The latter might be somewhat more challenging, because unexpected cold weather can wreak havoc on your crops. Properly protect bell peppers from cold temperatures, and within 65 to 95 days, your plants will be harvest-ready.
Knowing the ideal growing temperatures for bell peppers is essential to protect them from undesired conditions. After germinating the seeds indoors by exposing them to temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, transplant them outside when the nighttime temperature is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the soil at 4 inches deep is 65 degrees in the morning. For optimal growth, bell peppers prefer daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees.
Black Plastic Mulch
Bell pepper plants don't tolerate soil temperatures below 55 degrees. Mulching the soil with black plastic before transplanting protects them because it keeps the soil warm. It also speeds the soil-warming process for an earlier start. Cover the soil after prepping and moistening it, and once warmed, transplant the seedlings through holes cut in the plastic. When the weather heats up, cover the plastic with a layer of pine needles or hay to shade it and to prevent overheating.
Row covers can protect young bell pepper plants from sudden cool winds and cold spells that might emerge early in the growing season. These covers are commonly made of polyester or polypropylene, and offer various degrees of protection. The lighter the cover material, the more water and light can penetrate, which is essential for growing bell peppers. The covers are draped over wire hoops that are placed over the plants, and are and held in place with rocks or bags of sand.
If you don't have a greenhouse, the next best thing is to use a cold frame. A cold frame is a miniature, low-to-the-ground version of a greenhouse. This protective box has a transparent, removable glass or plastic ceiling that allows light to get to the plants growing inside. It's ideal for hardening off bell pepper seedlings and gradually getting them used to the outdoor climate without risking cold damage. If all else fails, after transplanting, cover the seedlings with an upside-down glass jar when they need protection from unexpected cool temperatures.
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