The best time to plant bell peppers is in the spring, after the last frost has passed. Peppers need warm soil to germinate and grow, so it’s important to wait until the weather is warm enough. In most parts of the country, that means late May or early June. If you’re starting your peppers from seed, you’ll need to plant them indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.
Bell peppers can be used to brighten up the garden and make a variety of delicious dishes. It is critical to cultivate peppers from seed in order to select the best variety and flavor. It takes about 5-10 days for the Bell Pepper seeds to germinate. Their skin is prone to bacteria such as fungal infection, mildew, and fungal blight. Spaying bell peppers in a protective manner with neem oil, pepperment oil, or hydrogen peroxide is an effective way to do so. To stabilize the soil for spring planting, cover crops of clover or wheat must be grown in the winter. A plant must be planted outdoors two to three weeks after the last spring frost.
The color of a bell pepper varies depending on the climate and how long it takes to mature. When the first green peppers appear, you can begin picking them low on the plants in early summer. Fruits will be less likely to rot if the plants are encouraged to set fruit for later harvests.
When Can I Plant Bell Peppers Outside?
Begin moving pepper plants outside as soon as the threat of frost has passed, and nighttime temperatures are consistently around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When choosing where to grow your bell peppers, keep an eye out for areas where tomatoes, eggplants, other peppers, or potatoes haven’t been grown for at least three years.
Summer dishes such as kebabs and salads are enhanced by the sweetness and crunch of bell peppers. Buying nursery-grown pepper seedlings is an easy, satisfying way to plant your own bell peppers in your vegetable garden. To conduct an accurate evaluation of important factors, such as the length of time for plants to mature and the development of their fruits, you must conduct extensive research. A nightshade is a plant that grows in the same family as tomato, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatillos, which are solanaceous. Choosing disease-resistant varieties and adhering to good maintenance practices can yield more harvest per acre. Before planting, make sure to incorporate organic matter, well-aged manure, or cover crop residues into the bed. When growing sweet bell peppers, timing is everything.
Pepper seeds should be planted eight to ten weeks ahead of the average last frost date in your region. In most areas of the country, beginning peppers indoors to get a head start on the growing season is a good idea. A tomato will tolerate temperatures above 50 degrees, but it will do well in warm weather conditions of 75 degrees or higher. In order to grow peppers, you should plant them no taller than one foot and no thinner than one inch in height with a sturdy, pencil-width stem. The health of bell pepper plants is dependent on their ability to receive consistent water. Almost all bell peppers can be divided into two to three-inch sections. It is possible for the stems of peppers to become brittle or to break under the weight of the developing fruit.
Thick mulch will prevent weed growth, conserve water, and keep the root zone cooler. Mulch may also provide food for destructive pests like slugs, snails, and cutworms. Sunscald can also cause severe damage to peppers, especially in areas with consistently hot temperatures. It is more important to water peppers growing in containers than those growing in gardens. The more peppers you pick, the more fruit you’ll get. Use a sharp pair of hand pruners, snips, or scissors when harvesting peppers. Pepper trees require long-term storage, so freezing them is the best way to keep them in the freezer.
It is possible to plant peppers in a variety of locations. Asparagus, basil, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, oregano, parsley, rosemary, squash, Swiss chard, and tomatoes are all great neighbors. Divide peppers into rows 30 to 36 inches apart and spaced 18 inches apart. If the temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the plants will form closer bonds. Fertiliser must be applied during planting and in the summer to achieve closer spacing.
Planting Peppers In Containers
When growing peppers in containers, it is acceptable to plant them directly outside. In order to grow peppers, make sure your garden has a good layer of mulch, as peppers prefer shady areas and are not good in direct sunlight.
Do Bell Peppers Need Full Sun?
During the growing season, the sun should be at least six to eight hours long. It is best to leave the soil well drained and contain a high percentage of organic matter. Pepper plants do well in moderately fertile soil, but they should not be confused with corn.
During the growing season, a bell pepper should receive 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day to ensure optimal fruit growth and production. Depending on the climate, they may require as much as twelve hours of sunlight per day. When the bell pepper is in full sun, it produces no flowers. If you practice good mulch and watering practices, you can grow bell peppers in the shade. Bell peppers are sensitive to inadequate sun exposure and to the extreme heat. If you do not do enough aeration and drainage, your bell peppers will rot. The afternoon sun is frequently the source of sun damage due to its high irradiance. Shade cloths can be used to protect yourself from sun damage while allowing you to continue to be exposed to sunlight.
The addition of peppers to any garden is an excellent way to add a spicy flavor to your meals, and they make a fantastic addition to any garden. In addition to raised beds and containers, pepper plants thrive in gardens that are well-drained, have a good drainage system, and are protected from predators. To ensure a successful harvest, peppers require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Furthermore, peppers require a fertile and well-drained environment in order to thrive. The best way to plant peppers is to place them between 18 and 24 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained location.
How Long Does It Take For A Bell Pepper Plant To Bear Fruit?
You should plan ahead of time because sweet bell peppers have a lengthy growing season, which can take up to 90 days to complete and harvest. If you want to plant your bell pepper seeds as early as possible, you should sow them eight to ten weeks ahead of your last spring frost date.
Pepper trees, also known as bell peppers, can be grown in the garden. Summer is the best season for them because they prefer warm climates. Most bell peppers take 120-150 days from seed to maturity, depending on where they are planted. This can occur during the flowering, pollination, and fruit production phases because of the excessive heat. Taking home bell pepper plant clippings and starting clones indoors can be a viable alternative to overwintering your peppers. When temperatures cool off, the plant begins to enter dormancy. By the end of the first season, a behemoth pepper plant, as seen in the video above, can be grown.
Depending on the soil temperature, a bell pepper seed can sprout in 5-21 days. The ideal temperature range for germination of bell pepper seeds is 80-90 degrees. Because bell peppers thrive in warm weather, they are typically grown indoors. As you grow your plant, it will produce more bell peppers, resulting in a larger plant. A bell pepper is a vine or garden vegetable that grows. In most cases, green bell peppers emerge first from the majority of bell pepper varieties. A green bell pepper is an immature version of a vine-ripened variety that would have turned brown and ripened if left on the vine. Grow Bell Pepper Plants to Increase Fruit Production.
Bell peppers can be eaten fresh, roasted, or mixed with other vegetables for a variety of dishes. Pepper plants can be grown for up to three years and can be grown in a variety of ways. Pepper varieties such as sweet Italian peppers, serranos, Cayennes, and paprikas are among the most popular. Jalapeo peppers are the hottest and easiest to grow peppers, but controlling their heat can be difficult. Gardeners, in addition to ornamental peppers like the NuMex Twilight pepper, are drawn to them.
Bell Peppers: 2 Months Until Fruit
Bell peppers should begin producing fruit about two months after planting. It is important to keep in mind that variations in climate and soil type can occur.
When To Plant Bell Peppers In Texas
During the growing season, peppers can be planted in Central Texas from mid-March to mid-July when the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Golden bell, California wonder, and Jupiter are mild (or sweet) varieties, while jalapeo, long red, and cayenne peppers thrive.
If Texas has not had a frost for two weeks, you can plant peppers outside. Mother Nature tricks us on a regular basis. The last frost usually occurs a few years later in the year. As a reference, I compiled a table showing average frost dates for most major Texas cities. A tomato seed can be planted indoors in 40-60 days and then transplanted into a garden. Pepper plants should be introduced (in their pots) outside for an hour prior to planting. By increasing the amount of time they spend outside each day by an hour, they can expect to be outside for eight hours every day.
Yes, You Can Grow Bell Peppers In Texas All Year Round
Bell peppers, which can be eaten fresh or cooked, have a wide range of flavors. Texas is an ideal location for them because they can be easily grown and will produce crops all summer long. How do you get started growing bell peppers in Texas?
In order for bell peppers to grow, they must be well-drained and covered in plenty of sun. Composting or fertilizer may be required if your soil is poor or if your plants do not receive all the nutrients they require.
How do peppers grow in Texas? If there hasn’t been a frost in Texas for two weeks, it’s possible to grow bell peppers all year. Provide your plants with adequate water in order for them to grow properly.
How can you grow peppers in Texas during the summer? In Texas, the cultivation of bell peppers outside is permitted as long as the plants have not been damaged by a frost for two weeks.
How Long Does It Take For Bell Peppers To Grow
Bell peppers are a fast-growing crop that can be ready to harvest in as little as 50 days. Peppers need full sun and well-drained, fertile soil to thrive. Pepper plants are sensitive to cold, so it’s best to wait to plant them until all danger of frost has passed.
How long does it take to grow peppers from seed? The pepper’s properties determine what happens. After receiving seed, the fruits of a tomato can be harvested about 65 days after it is planted. Sweet Chocolate Bell Pepper seeds, on the other hand, mature within 57 days of seed. If you want to shorten the amount of time it takes, peppers with short seasons should be grown. Sandia Seed has an incredible collection of Pepper of the World peppers ranging from extremely hot to extremely sweet. Pepper seeds germinate in most cases in 7-21 days, but some can take longer. For faster germination of pepper seeds, keep them at temperatures of 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bell peppers can be used in a variety of dishes to add a punch of flavor to them. In tropical areas, they are grown as annuals; however, in colder climates, they are grown as perennials. Because seeds need to be sown indoors during the shortest summer, you should begin planting seeds indoors earlier than usual because they require a fairly long growing season, typically between 90 and 100 days.
Even if you have little space to grow vegetables, growing peppers in containers is a great way to get started on your own. You’ll be plucking a peck of peppers before you know it if you use the right tools, the proper plants, sunlight, fertilizer, and water.
Bell Pepper Harvest Time
The first and second harvests of bell peppers take place in the summer (from June 9 to July 30) and fall (September 18 to November 8). Throughout the year, the horticultural, harvest, and packing processes all operate almost identically. Before starting the pepper process, you must first prepare your land.
Bell peppers grow in a variety of colors, including green, red, dark purple, yellow, and orange. As long as the planting date is not changed, most plants will be ready to harvest in 60 to 80 days. If green peppers are not allowed to ripen on the vine, they will turn red and orange. While immature bell peppers should not be saved for replanting because their seeds have not fully matured, they should be composted. You should allow the peppers to mature fully and harvest any remaining peppers as soon as they have fully ripen. The temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit will not set fruit on peppers.
What Time Of Year Are Bell Peppers In Season?
Bell peppers are actually berries, which are generally green, yellow, red, and orange in color, and are used in cooking with vegetables. Bell peppers are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of summer dishes such as salads, pizzas, and pasta.
Growing Bell Peppers In Pots
Growing bell peppers in pots is a great way to get fresh peppers without having to worry about pests or diseases. Peppers are a bit finicky when it comes to watering, so make sure to water them regularly and never let the soil dry out completely. Peppers also need a lot of sunlight, so choose a spot in your yard that gets at least six hours of sun per day. Lastly, fertilize your peppers every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to keep them healthy and productive.
Cucumbers and tomatoes require far less heat than bell peppers, which thrive in warm weather. If you live in a cold climate, growing bell peppers in pots is an excellent idea. Pepper plants are perennial vines in the tropics, but they are grown as annuals in cold and temperate climates. Watering your bell peppers on a regular basis will keep their soil moist. Watering your pepper plants is problematic for them because they require constant overwatering; therefore, if your plants do not sit in water, it is best to avoid watering them. Growers should take care to keep their plants at temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius), while seed germination should be 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). Tomato and pepper plants require a high level of Epsom salt to grow.
Because pepper plants self-fertile, pollination is unnecessary. When the plants are in bloom, you can gently shake them to improve their productivity and produce more fruits. The main enemy of pepper plants is aphids, and growing peppers in pots requires adequate protection from them.
The versatility and versatility of peppers make them a popular and versatile vegetable. Although peppers are simple to grow, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to enjoy them both as a tasty snack and as healthy fare. To make the best of the situation, make sure to choose a good variety of peppers. As you get closer to cooking, you’ll notice that there are a variety of peppers that come in a variety of flavors and textures; make sure you select one that you’ll enjoy using. To ensure that your peppers get the right amount of light and water, keep an eye on them. When the sun is too direct, they can become scorched, and when the water is too moist, they can become waterlogged. To stimulate plant growth, fertilize your pepper plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every few months. The fertilization of your plants will also help you to keep pests at bay, in addition to aphids and spider mites. To grow delicious and healthy peppers that you can eat, you should follow these tips.
Bell Pepper Plant Lifespan
The average lifespan of a bell pepper plant is about three to four years. However, with proper care, some plants may live up to six years or more.
How long should a bell pepper plant survive in the living room? As long as they are kept healthy and pruned, they are likely to live. They produce a plethora of pests, and the plants require a lot of nutrients in order to thrive. They require regular care because they must be kept healthy. Most peppers can go for several seasons, if not longer, whether or not they do well after that. A variety of peppers may grow better over time if it is grown for a longer period of time. During the winter, some peppers lose their leaves, while others do not (though how you treat them can have a significant effect on their leaves).
In terms of overwintering, the best peppers are those that can withstand a cold environment. Because even houses can get pretty cold for some peppers, it is a good idea to think about it. Goat’s Weed, Black Cobra, and Capsicum flexuosum are all suitable for cold climates. The only sweet pepper varieties that I’ve personally heard can overwinter indoors with some success (at least once) are big Bertha and possibly pepper ‘Carmen’ F1. Some people believe that pruning peppers is a good idea, while others believe that it is necessary to keep them healthy. If bell peppers don’t get pollinated, they can die. After the plants have grown roots, place them in pots.
Plumping your pepper with its clippings is a good idea if you want to keep it fresh. Despite the fact that a hybrid pepper does not produce seeds, you can still obtain more plants that produce the same type of pepper if you have it. When it comes to indeterminate matter, you have decided what you want. You won’t stop vegetative growth if you stop pollinating the plant, but you won’t stop fruit production. Indeterminate peppers are not recommended for growing in Hydroponics. You should plant your peppers indoors in a grow light.
Do Bell Pepper Plants Grow Back Every Year?
Gardeners use all types of peppers to grow their annuals: sown, grown, picked, and then composted. Even though they are hardy perennial plants, these hardy plants will happily overwinter next year in good conditions.
How Long Will A Pepper Plant Keep Producing?
After transplant, a hot pepper plant‘s fruit can take up to 150 days (21 weeks). To produce fruit, a pepper plant requires 56 to 70 days (8 to 10 weeks) to be grown directly from seed. Plants will continue to grow and produce fruit until either they are killed by frost or frozen over.
Can You Keep A Pepper Plant Alive Forever?
Pepper plants, in general, are perennial, which means they can live for a long time under appropriate conditions. Despite this, many casual gardeners simply plant seeds every year, but this is not required.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Peppers From Seed
It takes about six to eight weeks for peppers to germinate and grow from seed. However, it can take up to three months for the peppers to mature and be ready to harvest.
It is simple for me to grow peppers because I keep them to a minimum. The majority of pepper seeds sprout over the course of about a week at temperatures ranging from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, but depending on the variety, germination can be erratic. Capsicum Annuum peppers are generally the easiest to grow. Soak your seeds in warm water overnight before planting them. Each ‘pods’ will be filled with three seeds. There are only three seeds that can become producing plants; do not attach yourself to any of them. Your seeds do not guarantee that all of them will survive to become healthy plants, regardless of how they sprout.
Chile seeds, which are meant to sprout, require moisture and warmth to reactivate. When the first set of leaves appear, I add Myco Blast to the seed pods after planting them and water every week until they are ready to begin producing their own leaves. If the first seeds sprout, remove the greenhouse dome and start giving the seedlings plenty of light. Cotyledons (plant stems that develop as embryonic leaves from seed-bearing plants) are the first leaves to emerge from a germinating seed. When the first set of true leaves is about three-quarters full, I transplant each of them into a larger cup. The presence of Epsom salt aids in the strong growth of the foliage and prevents the development of green to yellow leaves on the plant. Shake up the Epsom salt in a gallon of water vigorously with a tooth brush.
Every other week, spray your plants with fish emulsion, and the next week you will give them foliar feeding. The goal of layering off is to allow your young plants to gradually adapt to the outdoor environment. The best days for peppers are 70-80 F in the daytime and 60-70 F at night. Following the adjustment process to being outside, it is time to relocate your plants to their permanent location. It is advantageous to plant peppers in well-draining soils. If you have access to compost, you should mix it in with your soil. To make sure the root ball of each plant is not too small, dig a hole that is slightly larger.
Staking or caging is an option for some plants. In general, ‘leggy’ seedlings have thin stems and look vulnerable. White fuzz, which is a common white mold on soil, is caused by too much moisture in the soil. moisture, which they love, and fruits, which they love, are both attractive to them, so it’s no surprise that they prefer kitchens full of bugs.
Why Are My Pepper Seedlings Taking So Long To Grow?
Pepper plants require a lot of sunlight or they will grow slowly. They require at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day to function properly. Pepper plants will not be able to generate energy if they receive insufficient sunlight.
How To Make Your Pepper Seeds Germinate Faste
Pepper seeds can take anywhere from seven to 21 days to germinate, but they must be kept warm at temperatures of 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit in order for them to germinate quickly. Most seeds germinate within 7-21 days, but some may take longer, so keep them warm with a seedling heat mat to ensure healthy germination.
Are Peppers Easy To Grow From Seed?
Capsicum Annuum are probably the most simple to grow if you don’t want to wait too long to germinate the plant. Jalebios, serranos, cayennes, Thai peppers, Anaheim peppers, Hatch peppers, and many ornamentals are just a few of the fruits and vegetables available. In cooler climates, they germinate much faster (50F-75F) and can even be germinated at the lower temperatures.
The Benefits Of Planting Two Peppers
If you only want to grow peppers, planting two doesn’t make sense. When growing peppers on their own, it is preferable to plant two varieties at the same time rather than one. As a result, you’ll have more peppers per plant and they’ll be closer together, allowing you to easily pick them. You can also use resources such as water and nutrients to help your peppers grow faster.
Planting Bell Pepper Seeds Starting Peppers
To plant bell pepper seeds, fill a seed-starting tray with moistened potting mix. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and water them gently. Place the tray in a warm spot and keep the soil moist. Once the seeds have germinated, thin them out so that only the strongest seedlings remain. When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, transplant them into individual pots.
Seed saving will ensure the survival of a favorite variety of bell pepper for future planting. Only a small percentage of bell peppers produce viable seeds. If seeds are given to certain peppers, they may not sprout or grow to be productive or weak plants. Knowing the differences between bell pepper plants will help you grow from your own seeds if you choose wisely. Most bell pepper seeds will last at least two years if properly packaged. It’s best to start them indoors about seven weeks before the end of the expected frost season in your area. Germinating peppers typically take 14 days, but they can take as little as seven or as long as 21 days.
While it is possible to grow pepper plants as a solitary plant, two of them will be more productive. Once the seeds have 2-3 sets of true leaves, plant two seeds per hole and thin out the weakest. It is best to plant two pepper plants at the same time rather than one, because two will be more productive. As you can see from the image, the stem growth appears unaffected.
Planting Your Seeds
If you’re planting outside, you should wait until the soil is nearly dry before adding seeds.
To plant seeds indoors, lightly press them in a container of warm water with a few inches of pressure. Then, add some seeds and gently press them into the ground.
Planting Peppers
Peppers are a great addition to any garden and can be planted in a variety of ways. Peppers can be started from seed, transplanted from another location, or purchased as seedlings from a nursery. When planting peppers, it is important to choose a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Peppers can be planted in rows or in a raised bed and should be spaced 18-24 inches apart. Once planted, water the peppers deeply and keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Peppers will be ready to harvest in 60-90 days, depending on the variety.
We have grown peppers as a garden vegetable for many years. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most important tips for planting peppers. You will learn everything you need to know about planting seeds, how deep to plant seeds, how far apart plants can be from one another, and how to choose the right planting method. Pepper varieties are plentiful, so you can find something to suit your taste here. Plants that are still in their early stages of development should be planted at the bottom of the soil. Some pepper varieties grow to be very large and bushy, while others remain slender and narrow. The size of the container is the key to increasing the yield of your pepper.
Pepper plants thrive in a variety of containers, with 3-5 gallon (11-19 liter) containers serving as their most common size. Pepperseeds, like any other crop, are in danger of extinction. Because bagging soil dries quickly, watering pots and other containers necessitates more frequent watering. As soon as the flowers bloom, they attract predatory wasps, ladybugs, and other pest-eaters. Pepper plants can be equally susceptible to diseases. After being transplanted outside, depending on the type of plant, it is possible to consume peppers that have already ripen.
Planting peppers and tomatoes together yields the greatest amount of yield, improves soil conditions, is of greatest importance to water and nutrient needs, and attracts the same pollinators as planting peppers and tomatoes individually. Both vegetables can be trellised to improve yield.
If you’re planning to grow peppers and tomatoes together, you should think about your soil type and how much space you have. In this case, tomatoes require a lot of water, so plant them in a dry soil that has not dried out. peppers can thus be grown in drier, less water-intensive soils.
Make certain that the amount of sunlight you give your plants is not too much. If you intend to plant them in a shade-colored container or grow them in a grow light, you should think about using a grow light or planting them in a shade-colored container.
You should pay close attention to how much shade your peppers and tomatoes receive when grown in the same container.
Peppers: The Essential Guide To Planting, Growing, And Harvesting Peppers
Before planting seeds, you must first check them out for six to eight weeks.
In Santa Clara County, it is best to plant peppers in late April or May when the soil is warm and daytime temperatures are consistently above 75o F.
Planting tips: Pepper seeds should not be deeply planted. The plant should be no larger than 1/4-to-1/2 inch deep. Except for surface-sown seeds, the general rule is to sow seeds at least twice their length in depth. In general, pepper seeds have a diameter of about 1/8 inch and should be planted no deeper than 1/2 inch in depth.
Does pepper plants require cages? If you want a smaller pepper variety, you can get one without a cage. Most pepper varieties benefit from the use of a simple, central stake that can be used to attach plants to various points along the way.
Transplant in the morning or late at night when the temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When the soil is dry, it is warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. On cloudy days, transplant in late afternoon or at a calm hour. If the weather is warm and sunny, you should use pepper in your dish.
Plant Bell Peppers
Pepper seeds should be planted eight to ten weeks ahead of the average last frost date in your region. Make sure the potting soil is well-prepared before planting it. Make sure the seeds are well-covered with potting mix after planting. To accelerate germination, a heat mat should be used.
Bell peppers are a delicious, nutritious addition to meals and gardens. A seed from a garden center or nursery is an excellent place to start. Because bell peppers are slow growing, you should allow them plenty of time to mature. Choose a site with rich, well-draining soil and plenty of sun. When the temperature is cold, it can be difficult to germinate. Despite their small size, peppers are prone to fungal infections as well as small pests. It is an outdoor adaptation technique that gradually shifts indoor plants to the outdoor environment.
There are no long-term consequences, and it only takes one to two weeks to complete. If you live in a mild or warm climate, bell peppers are an excellent choice for growing. Harvesting bell peppers can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days. While peppers can be grown for several years in a row, they must be kept away from the cold.
When they are fully ripe, the best peppers are harvested when they are all year round, regardless of how long they have been growing. When a pepper is ripe, look for a papery husk with a yellow or brown color. Once the pepper has been ripe, gently pull the husk off the pepper and eat it.
Pepper plants can be placed in a variety of ways. Chopsticks can be used to tie the stem to a post or to tie the plant into a post. Alternatively, you could use a piece of bamboo or a wire. Make certain that the post is strong and that the plant is secure, whether you use it in a traditional manner or a creative way.
Pepper plants are not difficult to grow and are well suited to a wide range of climates. Furthermore, if you move, you can easily relocate your pepper plants, as they are simple to transplant.
staking your pepper plants is critical for your plants to be upright and grow at least 2 feet long. By doing so, you will reduce the risk of sunscald on the fruits and keep them from falling to the ground, where they will be more susceptible to pests and rot.