Can I grow GREEN bell PEPPERS indoors through winter? I live in Wisconsin, we grow them in the summer....?

Question

We are in zone 5. We plant in Mid-May and harvest Aug-Oct. We always have an abundance of peppers all summer and fall, and then suffer through the winter without- because they are so expensive at the stores. We grow red & green bell and jalapeno. Is growing them successfully indoors a possibility?

Answer 1

Green bell peppers require a very high amount of light in order to grow a productive crop. In Wisconsin, there is not much light in the winter due to the low angle of the sun and cloud cover; unless you use grow bulbs or have a greenhouse with good exposure, you will not have enough light to grow them indoors.

Your best bet is probably to start growing plants indoors in the late winter or early spring, before you would normally plant them. Then, you can plant the plants at a larger size and get a few extra weeks of peppers at the beginning of the spring. But a full cycle of plants indoors will be very difficult without a full hydroponic setup. This isn't to say that you can't do it, but keep in mind that the light factor is going to be a big issue.

By contrast, other nightshade plants such as tomatoes are much easier to grow indoors. There are certain varieties that are designed for this--if you look around you can find them.

I found mixed reviews on the net about whether or not peppers are easy to grow hydroponically. Some sites claim they are but from my experience I do not know anyone who has grown them successfully. I know many people who have successfully grown tomatoes and even potatoes indoors, and these are both related, in the same family, but have slightly lower light requirements.

Answer 2

Growing Bell Peppers Indoors

Answer 3

you probably couldn't GROW them indoors unless you had a very bright light (similar to ones that are used in growing of some illegal substances). but you could certainly get them started and then re-plant them outside as soon as the weather starts to get a little nicer, around mid-april. at least that way they'd have a head start and you could probably get the peppers earlier. good luck!!