Growing capsicums at home can add vibrant colour to your garden and enrich your family’s meals with fresh, homegrown produce.
The bright red, yellow, and green fruits are as visually appealing as they are versatile, bringing a delightful crunch and sweetness to a wide variety of dishes. Whether you’re tossing them into a crisp salad, adding them to a zesty salsa, or incorporating them into baked dishes, stuffed recipes, stir-fries, or even Mexican and Italian-inspired meals, capsicums elevate the flavour and nutrition of any dish.
Despite being members of the chilli family, capsicums are completely mild and free from any heat, making them a favourite among kids and adults alike. Their sweet, juicy flesh is so appealing that even young gardeners might find themselves munching on them like apples straight from the garden!
Here, we explain how to grow capsicum from seeds or seedlings. Soon, your garden will be bursting with these colourful, nutrient-packed fruits all season long!
Capsicums are nutritional powerhouses packed with essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health. Beta-carotene is a standout nutrient in capsicums, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, boosting the immune system, and promoting healthy skin.
The vibrant red capsicums are particularly rich in beta-carotene, offering more than other colours!
Capsicums are also exceptionally high in vitamin C, a nutrient vital for collagen production, which helps maintain the health of skin, blood vessels, and bones. Just one red capsicum contains more than enough vitamin C to satisfy the daily requirements for ten people, making it one of the richest sources of this vitamin. This makes capsicums an excellent choice for boosting immune health, particularly during cold and flu season.
Finally, capsicums provide a good amount of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and B vitamins, essential for energy production and brain function. Lycopene, another powerful antioxidant found in red capsicums, further enhances their health benefits by protecting against certain types of cancer and supporting heart health.
Starting your capsicum journey from seeds or seedlings is a rewarding way to grow these colourful and nutritious fruits in your garden. Whether you plant seeds for a more hands-on experience or seedlings for a quicker harvest, both methods can yield a bountiful crop with the right care and attention.
Capsicum seeds (or capsicum seedlings, which are less complicated for amateur gardeners and kids)
Good quality potting mix
Water-filled watering can
Liquid seaweed fertiliser
How often should I water my capsicum plant?
Water your capsicum plant every second day during warmer months to moisten the soil. In cooler weather, reduce watering to once every 3-4 days, ensuring the soil doesn’t dry out between waterings.
When is the best time to plant capsicum?
Plant capsicum mid-spring when the weather has warmed up, ideally after the last frost. This gives them a full growing season to mature and produce fruit. Capsicums love a hot summer with regular watering!
Should I practice crop rotation with capsicums?
Yes, practising crop rotation is important. Avoid planting capsicums in the same spot where other nightshade family members (like tomatoes or eggplants) were grown the previous year to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.
How can I protect my capsicum plants from pests and diseases?
To protect capsicum plants, insect netting can deter pests, and organic sprays can be used for pest control. Ensure good air circulation around plants to prevent fungal diseases and rotate crops annually to maintain healthy soil.
What are the best companion plants for capsicums?
Capsicums benefit from companion plants like basil, marigolds, and onions. Basil can enhance flavour and deter pests, marigolds help repel nematodes, and onions can deter aphids. These companions create a healthier growing environment for your capsicums.
These stuffed capsicums are incredibly tasty and a wonderful way to celebrate the fruits of your gardening labour. The combination of creamy Philadelphia cheese, savoury tuna, and crunchy pine nuts creates a delightful filling that perfectly complements the capsicum's natural sweetness.
This dish is a fantastic way to get your little ones excited about eating their veggies, especially if they’ve helped grow them!
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