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Bell Pepper 'King of the North'

Capsicum annuum 'King of the North'

A reliable early-maturing bell pepper bred specifically for cooler climates and short seasons. This compact variety produces thick-walled, blocky peppers that ripen from green to brilliant red even in challenging northern conditions. Perfect for gardeners who struggle with traditional bell peppers in cooler regions.

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Blossom-End Rot of Tomato

☀️

Zones

4–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Bell Pepper 'King of the North' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Bell Pepper 'King of the North' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, crisp, and mild with classic bell pepper flavor

ColorGreen maturing to red

Size3-4 inches long, 3 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	August – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	July – September
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	June – August
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	May – July
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	—	May – July

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.

Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh King of the North peppers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 40-45°F with high humidity for 2-3 weeks. Don't wash until ready to use, and store in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while preventing condensation buildup.

For longer storage, these thick-walled peppers freeze exceptionally well. Cut into strips or dice, then freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags — they'll maintain texture for 6-8 months. No blanching required.

Roast and preserve in olive oil for 2-3 weeks refrigerated, or dehydrate pepper rings at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create flavorful dried peppers. The thick walls make this variety ideal for stuffing and freezing whole — blanch for 3 minutes, cool, stuff, and freeze for easy winter meals. Red peppers also pickle beautifully using standard canning methods.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical North and South America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
+Attracts: Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
+Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

Tomatoes

Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, mutual pest deterrence

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

Oregano

Deters pests like aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial insects

Onions

Repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack peppers

Carrots

Help break up soil for pepper roots and don't compete for nutrients

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting peppers

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in peppers

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.715g(1%)

Fiber

0.942g(3%)

Carbs

4.78g(2%)

Fat

0.106g(0%)

Vitamin C

99.5mg(111%)

Iron

0.186mg(1%)

Calcium

7.5mg(1%)

Potassium

163mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2258588)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good cold tolerance, moderate disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, pepper weevil, hornworms

Diseases

Bacterial spot, phytophthora blight, tobacco mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does King of the North pepper take to grow?▼

King of the North peppers mature in 65-75 days from transplant. Green peppers are ready at 65-70 days, while fully red ripe peppers need an additional 10-15 days. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost for best results in northern climates.

Can you grow King of the North peppers in containers?▼

Yes, King of the North is excellent for container growing due to its compact 18-24 inch size. Use containers at least 5 gallons with drainage holes. The smaller plant size and high productivity make it ideal for patio gardens and small spaces.

Is King of the North good for beginners?▼

King of the North is perfect for beginners, especially in cooler climates where other bell peppers fail. It's forgiving, disease-resistant, and produces reliable harvests even with basic care. The compact size makes it easy to manage and harvest.

What does King of the North pepper taste like?▼

King of the North has classic sweet bell pepper flavor — crisp and mild when green with a slight tang, becoming sweeter and more complex when fully red. The thick walls provide excellent crunch and the flavor is comparable to standard bell peppers despite the cooler climate adaptation.

King of the North vs regular bell peppers — what's the difference?▼

King of the North matures 20-30 days earlier than standard bells, tolerates much cooler temperatures, and has a more compact plant. However, fruits are smaller (3-4 inches vs 4-5 inches) and only come in green-to-red color. Choose King of the North for zones 5-7 or short seasons.

When should I plant King of the North pepper seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors only after soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. In most northern areas, this means starting seeds in February-March for May-June transplanting.