Sweet Pepper, ‘Bridge to Paris’

(Capsicum annuum) This wonderful pepper comes to us from our friends at Hudson Valley Seed Library in upstate New York and is the product of a long chain of farm-based seed work. Originally disentangled from the hybrid frying pepper “La Paris” at the biodynamic Kimberton CSA in Kimberton, PA, it then gained a little bit of extra size and a hint of spice in the hands of Phillies Bridge Farm in Gardiner, NY, before being passed on to Hudson Valley Seed Library who have continued to refine and stabilize the best traits to create a marketable cultivar. From “La Paris” to Phillies Bridge, hence “Bridge to Paris.” The result? Perhaps the most beautiful fryer we have seen: long, glossy, smooth, very sweet, bright red fruits to 8”s and with much thicker flesh than most fryers. They have performed very well in trials across the northern US and were a standout at the OSA sweet pepper trial in Chimacum, WA. Plants are tall (24-36”), vigorous, and prolific and benefit from staking. Wonderfully sweet for fresh eating as well as for roasting and freezing. 
85-100 days. AV

Packet: ~30 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Indoors, 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. 

Transplant out after danger of frost (50+ nighttime temps).

Note: Protect well from the cold!

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/4″

SPACING:

12-24″ spacing in rows 24-36″ apart.

EMERGENCE:

7-14 days @ soil temp 70-85F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

Moderate-Heavy. Prefer well-drained, fertile soil with ample phosphorous and calcium (too little calcium can cause blossom end rot) and a pH between 6.5-6.8. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Pepper seeds germinate very slowly and poorly in cold soil. Keep soil temperatures at 80-90F while germinating, and grow plants at 70F. 

After transplanting, use a floating row cover to keep plants warmer during the day and protect them from cold nights. Remove as temperatures increase. Too much heat can cause blossom drop. 

Taller varieties benefit from staking.

Harvesting ripe fruit consistently encourages fruit production.