Sweet pepper seeds - the best varieties for the middle zone

When choosing a particular variety of cultivated plant, it's important to consider not only its taste and nutritional qualities. The choice should also depend on the climate zone where the planting will take place. Given the unstable climate of the temperate zone, varieties most resistant to cold and harsh weather conditions are a priority. Even when growing sweet peppers in greenhouses, it's recommended to choose the best seed varieties specifically suited to the temperate zone.

Features of the climate and cultivation of sweet peppers in central Russia

The middle zone refers to the central European regions of the Russian Federation. Weather conditions there are characterized by relatively cold winters (averaging -8 to 17°C) and warm, short summers (17 to 21°C), with high humidity.

This climate requires a special approach to planting and caring for sweet peppers:

• Taking into account the unfavorable environment and the plant’s love of heat, the main parameter is the choice of a planting site that should be inaccessible to cold gusts of northern winds;
• the selected area must be thoroughly cleaned, freeing it from weeds and all foreign objects and debris;
• The soil should be moderately loosened to drain excess water. However, over-loosening should be avoided, as a good harvest requires the presence and retention of a certain amount of moisture in the soil.
• It is recommended to fertilize each square meter of soil with the following substrate (it is recommended to apply it simultaneously with digging the beds):

Substance	Quantity
Wood ash	1 glass
Potassium sulfate	1 tbsp.
Superphosphate	1 tbsp.
Urea	1 tsp

• In the case where planting occurs in the second stage, it is worth considering that in order to achieve a higher quality harvest, planting should be carried out in the same soil where legumes or root crops were previously grown.

From mid-May to the end of May, seedlings can be transplanted outdoors. Compared to other plants, sweet peppers are typically transplanted outdoors 5-7 days earlier than tomatoes. The planting pattern is universal for these Russian regions and is 30 x 30 cm.

Pepper seed varieties for open ground

Many varieties of sweet peppers have difficulty growing in this region's climate. Therefore, resilient seeds are available that can withstand these volatile weather conditions.

Asti

This pepper is frost-resistant and can be grown in all regions of Russia, making it a popular choice for planting in Western Siberia. The variety is well-adapted to sudden cold spells. Ripening time is 100 days. The fruit is yellow or light-green. The wall thickness can reach up to 1 cm. Weight: 250-270 g.

Arab

This variety is a type of bell pepper, but is characterized by its low growth. It is suitable for planting both in greenhouses and under cover in the field.

The red fruits of the arap pepper are cone-shaped, thin-walled, yet juicy. A single bush produces 5-4 kg of fruit. This pepper is widely used in cooking, being a versatile product.

Antique dealer

This sweet pepper is medium-sized. The yield per square meter reaches up to 9-10 kg. It produces good yields both in the ground under cover material and in a greenhouse.

The deep red, prismatic fruits have a wall thickness of half a centimeter. Can be used in dietary nutrition after consultation with a doctor.

Annushka

The fruit weighs 130-150 g. This yellow variety has a prism-like shape. This pepper can tolerate high temperatures and is also tolerant of irregular watering. The wall is thin, no more than 5-6 mm thick, yet the fruit itself is juicy and sweet. The yield per square meter can reach up to 10 kg.

Boyar

Height: 60-70 cm. Weight: up to 170 g. This bell pepper variety was bred for the harsh temperate climate. It is distinguished by its good tolerance to temperature fluctuations and northerly winds. The fruit is green until ripe, turning red upon maturity. The yield per square meter ranges from approximately 5 kg.

Vesuvius

Height: 80-90 cm. Weight: 130-150 g. Peppers are able to tolerate low temperatures and high humidity, and are also suitable for growing in greenhouses.

The fruits, light green or scarlet in color, have walls up to 7 mm thick. Under favorable conditions, a single bush can produce 5 kg of fruit.

Good-natured

The bush grows up to 80 cm tall. When sowing this variety in open ground, remember that it matures early in these conditions—harvesting occurs 90 days after planting. It is thick-walled and resistant to disease.

The spherical peppers come in red and green. Their flavor is notable for their lack of bitterness. The yield per square meter is 14 kg.

Emelya

The fruit weighs 100-120 g. This variety is the most suitable for cultivation in this region. The bush is quite compact. The fruit itself can have various shades, ranging from yellow to orange. The wall thickness reaches 6 mm. A single bush can produce up to 8 kg of fruit.

The best seeds for growing in a greenhouse in the temperate zone

One of the advantages of greenhouse conditions is the possibility of earlier planting of plants compared to planting in open ground.

Blondie F1

The bush height is 90 cm. This is a mid-season variety. The plant's positive qualities include tolerance to heat, high humidity, and acidic soil. The fruit itself is juicy, yellow, and its wall thickness reaches 7 mm. The yield per bush can reach up to 8 kg.

Goodwin F1

The bush grows to a height of 2.5 m. This pepper is known for its high yield. Its distinctive feature is its tall plant, so it requires support and staking. This variety is not drought-tolerant and requires regular watering.

The juicy, prism-shaped fruits are red or green. Their walls are approximately 1 cm thick. Under favorable conditions, one bush produces 10 kg of fruit.

Latino F1

The bush grows to 1.3 m tall. This variety combines excellent flavor and beautiful appearance, making it an excellent commercial option. The bush is quite compact. The juicy, regularly shaped fruits are red in color. Their wall thickness varies around 1 cm. The yield can reach approximately 10 kg.

Cardinal F1

This hybrid variety's short stature doesn't hinder its excellent yield—approximately 15 kg of fruit per square meter. It has good disease resistance and requires regular fertilization. The fleshy fruits are cube-shaped and have a glossy purple surface.

Rules for caring for seedlings and crops in the middle zone

Given the moderately harsh climate of these regions, it's essential to approach the preparation of planting material with particular care, the first step being careful selection. Basic growing guidelines:

1. It is recommended to place the seeds in a large container with a salt solution for a couple of minutes. Most seeds unsuitable for planting will float to the surface, after which those remaining at the bottom are dried and selected by hand. Only large, whole, and well-shaped seeds, without visible damage or defects, are allowed for planting.
2. Any planting material must be disinfected. To do this, soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
3. To improve pepper growth, methods such as soaking seeds in special solutions designed to increase the germination rate of the seeds are used.

   

4. Hardening is a necessary step in these climates. It's done by placing the seeds in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for two to three days.
5. The final stage is bubbling.

The seedlings themselves should be prepared gradually, some time before planting. Water them less frequently and lower the temperature to 15°C. It is recommended to move the seedlings to the location they will be planted in the future a day before planting and provide shade. This helps the plants adapt to their new location.

Given the climate's volatility, it's a good idea to have covering material, such as film or plastic, on hand. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can cover recently transplanted seedlings before the onset of cold weather.

Reviews from gardeners and summer residents

Andrey: "Choosing a sweet pepper variety for seedlings in this region requires particular care. I enjoy personally evaluating the qualities of exotic or simply new varieties. A huge thank you to the breeders who regularly create varieties resilient to harsh climates. My favorite is Boyarin, which boasts high yields and delicious flavor, despite being very low-maintenance and disease-resistant."

Margarita: "I've tried many varieties, which I'm happy with and which have received good reviews from my friends. I prefer to plant blondies under plastic cover. This way, the peppers grow larger and faster."

Valentina: "Personally, I prefer thick-walled pepper varieties. I absolutely dislike the thin-walled variety, as I value juiciness most in these fruits. Thin-walled peppers significantly limit their culinary possibilities. They're not even very suitable for stuffing. And I haven't noticed any difference in care between them."

Alexandra: "I periodically buy store-bought peppers, and I do so in different seasons. I collect the seeds and sow them. Unfortunately, I don't know the varieties, but I try to choose thick-walled, juicy, large ones. I sow them in February. I'm incredibly pleased with the harvest. So there's no need to be afraid to try something new."

To achieve a good pepper yield, many factors must be considered. One of the most important is the planting climate. Years of breeding have provided a huge selection of varieties in all colors, sizes, and flavors, making it possible to choose the perfect pepper for every gardener.