Pods & fruit
Capsicum
Sweet peppers that change colour as they ripen.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep-Nov
Core months: September, October, November
Temperate
Sow · Aug-Dec
Core months: August, September, October, November, December
Subtropical
Sow · Aug-Feb
Core months: January, February, August, September, October, November, December
Tropical
Sow · All year
Core months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Arid
Sow · Sep-Mar
Core months: January, February, March, September, October, November, December
Getting started
Start seed in warmth in pots or trays. Grow seedlings on in good light and plant out once both the soil and weather are warm and frost risk has passed.
The right conditions
Choose a warm, sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. Cold conditions slow development.
As it grows
Maintain even moisture without leaving the roots waterlogged. Support plants if heavy fruit makes the branches lean. Give plants space for air movement.
Ready to harvest
Pick firm, full-sized fruit green, or leave it to develop its ripe colour. The final colour depends on the variety. Cut the stalk rather than pulling hard on the branch.
Related how-to guides
Harvest fruiting vegetables without damaging the plant
Check the plant guide: tomatoes colour at ripeness, while zucchini, cucumbers and many eggplants are usually picked immature and tender.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.