This open-pollinated variety was selected for northern growers and is notably early. Specialist catalogues list approximately 60 days after transplanting for green fruit and 80 days for red fruit, providing a useful crop ahead of many late peppers. A warm position, full sun, properly hardened plants, and transplanting after frost remain essential.
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Organic heirloom open-pollinated sweet bell pepper
Solanaceae
Organic sweet pepper seeds
Organic red ‘Yankee Bell’ pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Yankee Bell’)
Capsicum annuum ‘Yankee Bell’
Yankee Bell is an early organic heirloom open-pollinated pepper for short seasons, with blocky thick-walled fruit that changes from green to sweet red.
Quantity
About 10 seeds
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Species
annuum
Cultivar
Yankee Bell
Type
Organic heirloom open-pollinated sweet bell pepper
Cycle
Annual in Quebec climates; frost-tender perennial where frost-free
Organic red ‘Yankee Bell’ pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Yankee Bell’) is an open-pollinated sweet pepper selected for short seasons and cool northern climates. Medium blocky, well-formed fruit has three or four lobes and thick walls. It can be harvested green and crisp, then turns red, milder, and sweeter at full maturity. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 10 organic, heirloom, open-pollinated seeds, plant height of 60–75 cm, and spread near 40 cm.
Sow indoors February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before last frost, 0.5–1 cm deep. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture; emergence normally takes 7–14 days. Then provide intense light, pot up as required, and harden gradually. Transplant after all frost risk into full sun and fertile, organic-rich, well-drained soil. Water deeply without saturating the soil and stake if the fruit load becomes heavy.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Cornell’s variety directory list approximately 60 days after transplanting for green harvest and 80 days for red maturity. Yankee Bell is especially useful where later peppers struggle to ripen before autumn. Harvest green for firm texture or wait for red fruit and sweeter flavour. Its thick flesh suits fresh eating, salads, grilling, stir-fries, and stuffing. Exact guaranteed dimensions and specific disease resistance for this lot are unconfirmed.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 40 cm (16 to 20 in) between plants and 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 14 days
Best planting time
February through April indoors; transplant after frost once nights remain above approximately 12°C
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in light mix eight to ten weeks before last frost. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture until emergence, then provide 14–16 hours of strong light. Pot up at several true leaves without deeply burying the stem. Harden for 7–10 days and transplant once soil is warm and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Space 40 cm apart, water immediately, stake if needed, and remove first flowers only if the plant remains very small.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10°C (50°F)
Watering
Keep seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination without saturating cells, then let the surface dry slightly between waterings once seedlings establish. After transplanting, water deeply at soil level once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Alternating drought and excess water causes blossom drop, stalled fruit, and uneven tissue. Mulch only once soil is warm, water in the morning, and avoid wetting foliage. In containers check daily during heat but never leave standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep loose soil rich in mature compost and very well drained, able to retain even moisture without remaining cold or waterlogged. Peppers succeed at slightly acidic to neutral pH approximately 6.0–7.0. Warm the bed before transplanting and avoid fresh manure, which encourages overly soft growth. In heavy soil use a raised bed. Rotate three to four years away from tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and other peppers where soil disease has occurred. A soil test allows organic matter and nutrients to be adjusted without excess.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting and use balanced organic fertilizer only according to a soil test or label. During establishment moderate nutrition supports sturdy plants. Once flowering begins avoid high-nitrogen doses that produce many leaves but delay fruit set and ripening. If a container plant pales despite proper watering, apply one low balanced liquid dose then reassess after a week. Never feed dry mix, do not allow salts to accumulate, and stop late applications when remaining warm-season time cannot ripen new fruit.
Seasonal care
In spring keep seedlings warm under strong light and pot up before roots circle cells. Harden gradually then transplant after frost. In summer mulch once soil is warm, tie plants loosely if bending, and harvest regularly. Monitor aphids, whiteflies, and mites, especially under protection. In autumn move containers inside during cold nights or cut loaded branches to finish colouring indoors; discard diseased or rotten fruit.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
15 to 20 L (4 to 5 gal) per plant
Use one deep stable 15–20 L container per plant with numerous drainage holes. Fill it with fertile free-draining mix and install a stake if needed. Place the pot in full sun in the warmest available position. Water deeply once the top two or three centimetres dry without leaving water in the saucer. Feed moderately, rotate the container for balanced growth, and protect it as nights cool to help the final fruit ripen red.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
White
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Herbaceous
Growth rate
Moderate to fast in warm conditions
Bloom period
Small white flowers during the warm season
Fruiting
Reliable crop of medium thick-walled peppers, green near 60 days and red near 80 days
Harvest
Harvest green fruit approximately 60 days after transplanting once firm, glossy, and well formed. For milder, sweeter flavour, allow it to ripen red, generally near 80 days. Clip stems with clean scissors rather than pulling branches. Regular harvest supports continued production. Promptly keep sound fruit cool and discard anything soft, mouldy, deeply split, or abnormal-smelling.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Eggplant, carrot, onion, peas, tomato
Avoid planting with
Bean, fennel
Fresh eating, crudités, salads, grilling, stir-fries, roasting, and stuffed peppers
From the garden to inspiration.
Rice-and-vegetable stuffed Yankee Bell — Cut tops from peppers and remove seed. Combine cooked rice with tomatoes, onion, herbs, and a little cheese, then fill cavities without packing too tightly. Place in a lightly oiled dish and bake until flesh is tender and filling is thoroughly hot. Use pre-cooked ingredients where required and verify a safe temperature before serving. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
No. Yankee Bell is a sweet bell pepper. Green fruit is crisp with more vegetal flavour; as it ripens red it develops greater sweetness. Its blocky shape and thick flesh are especially useful for crudités, salads, grilling, and stuffing. As with any food, account for individual preferences, intolerances, and allergies.
Harvest green near 60 days after transplanting once fruit is firm, glossy, and well formed. Leave it on the plant until red, generally near 80 days, for milder, sweeter flavour. Both stages are edible. Clip stems cleanly to protect branches and harvest regularly. Timelines remain approximate and vary with warmth, light, and transplant date.
Yes. Use one deep 15–20 L container per plant with several drainage holes and fertile free-draining mix. Place it in full sun in a warm position. Check moisture frequently during hot weather, water deeply without standing water, and feed moderately. Stake if fruit load becomes heavy and protect the pot as nights cool.
Keep the plant in full sun, maintain even moisture, and avoid excessive nitrogen that mainly promotes leaves. Leave firm sound fruit on the plant beyond the green stage until uniformly red. Ripening generally requires approximately 80 days after transplanting but cool weather can slow it. Harvest before forecast frost and protect containers during cool nights.
