Fertilizing Bell Peppers the Right Way — The Organic Game Plan

Time for Pepper Abundance

Bell peppers aren’t a "plant it and forget it" crop. They’ll reward you with big, beautiful harvests — but only if you feed them properly. At The Worm Farm Portland, we believe in doing things the right way: clean, natural, and organic — not synthetic shortcuts in a box.

If you want to grow healthy bell peppers packed with flavor, you need to focus on real soil health, organic amendments, and consistent care throughout the season. Here’s your straightforward guide.

It All Starts with the Right Soil

Before you even think about fertilizer, you need to get your soil dialed in. Bell peppers are heavy feeders — they pull a lot of nutrients from the soil as they grow. If your soil is weak, they’ll struggle. If your soil is thriving, so will your plants.

This is exactly why we created Gwen’s Mix.

Gwen’s Mix is packed with certified organic compost, worm castings, aged manures, coco coir, mineral amendments, and a proprietary blend of nutrients that set up your peppers for long-term success. It’s a true living soil — full of organic matter, biology, and natural nutrient cycling. You won’t find that in a bag of synthetic “plant food” from the hardware store.

When you start with Gwen’s Mix, you’ve already built the nutritional foundation your peppers need.

Know When to Feed — Timing Is Everything

Even with great soil, bell peppers appreciate periodic feedings as they grow. But you need to feed at the right times and with the right materials:

After Transplanting (Early Growth Phase)

About 2-3 weeks after transplanting your seedlings into the ground or raised beds, give them a gentle organic boost.
Use an organic balanced fertilizer with moderate nitrogen (something like a 5-5-5 or 4-4-4 ratio).
Gwen’s Mix already contains these nutrients, but a little extra can help fuel early root and foliage growth if needed.

Pre-Flowering and Fruit Set (Mid-Season Boost)

As plants start budding and getting ready to fruit, it’s time to cut back on nitrogen and focus more on phosphorus and potassium.
Think something in the 5-10-10 or 4-8-12 range — all organically sourced.
Bone meal, seabird guano, or a good organic liquid bloom booster work perfectly here.

While Fruit Is Developing (Late-Season Support)

Continue feeding every 2-3 weeks with low nitrogen, high phosphorus/potassium organic blends.
Liquid kelp, fish hydrolysate, compost teas, or worm casting teas are all excellent choices.
You’re supporting the plant’s fruit production, not leaf growth.

What to Avoid: Synthetic Quick Fixes

Let’s be blunt: synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro might give your plant a fast sugar high, but long-term they do more harm than good. They disrupt the natural soil biology, leach out nutrients, and create weak, water-stuffed plants that don’t taste as good and don’t handle stress well.

Organic systems — like Gwen’s Mix — work with nature. You’re feeding the soil, not just the plant. Healthier soil means stronger plants, better fruit, and more resilience against pests and diseases.

Pro Tip: Don't Skip the Soil Test

If you’re growing peppers year after year in the same spot, take 10 minutes to do a basic soil test once a season. Knowing your soil’s nutrient levels can prevent over-fertilizing or missing key deficiencies. We can help guide you on how to amend based on your test results — naturally, of course.

A Few Extra Organic Tricks

Epsom Salt Foliar Spray: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salts into a gallon of water and spray the leaves every few weeks to support magnesium levels and improve fruit set.
Comfrey Tea: A powerhouse homemade fertilizer rich in potassium and trace minerals.
Worm Castings Top Dress: Add a thin layer around the base of plants every 4-6 weeks for a slow, steady nutrient release.

Companion Planting for Peppers

Pepper plants don’t like to grow alone. Use these companions to naturally repel pests and attract pollinators:

Onions
Basil
Marigolds
Lavender

The Bottom Line

At The Worm Farm Portland, we believe feeding your bell peppers should be simple, clean, and effective — without loading your garden with synthetic chemicals.

Start with Gwen’s Mix. Maintain with natural, organic amendments. Stay consistent. The payoff? Big, healthy, nutrient-dense peppers that taste like real food should.

Questions? Need help setting up your beds? Call us or stop by The Worm Farm Portland — where we grow it right.