How to Grow Blackhawk Pepper
Wikimedia Commons
Blackhawk Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Blackhawk'
vegetableBlackhawk is a hybrid bell pepper variety known for its early maturity and dark green to black fruit color. It produces medium-sized, blocky peppers that are excellent for fresh eating and cooking. This cultivar is prized by gardeners for its reliable yields and disease resistance.
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Example Blackhawk Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blackhawk Pepper
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blackhawk Pepper
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blackhawk Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zones 3-4 as an annual with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, cotyledons still visible. Delicate and pale green.
Keep consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light 12-16 hours daily. Maintain soil temperature 70-75°F. Thin crowded seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy plant with multiple stems and many dark green leaves. Plant is 6-12 inches tall.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white flowers appear at branch nodes. Plant is 12-18 inches tall with dense foliage.
Maintain warm temperatures (70-85°F). Ensure consistent watering and full sun exposure. Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus) to encourage fruit set. Avoid overhead watering.
Fruiting
3-4 weeks to mature fruitSmall green peppers develop at flower sites and gradually enlarge. Peppers start dark green, can continue ripening to red or stay black-green.
Continue regular watering and fertilization every 2-3 weeks. Prune excess foliage only if needed for air circulation. Support heavy branches with stakes if necessary.
Harvest
Ongoing through end of seasonPeppers reach 3-4 inches long, firm, and glossy with thick walls. Can harvest at green stage or allow further ripening.
Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit production. Use a sharp knife to cut peppers; avoid pulling to prevent branch damage. Blackhawk peppers can change color during storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; vacuum off with handheld device
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Remove infested fruits immediately; use neem oil preventatively; consider pheromone traps
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; apply lime or gypsum to increase calcium; mulch to regulate moisture
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryBlackhawk peppers have thick walls and crisp texture, making them ideal for raw consumption in salads, slaws, and crudités. The mild, sweet flavor develops as they mature. [source]
Roasting and cooking
CulinaryThe thick walls make these peppers excellent for roasting whole, stuffing, or dicing for stir-fries, fajitas, and cooked dishes. Early maturity allows extended harvest period. [source]
Ornamental display
HouseholdThe dark green to black peppers provide striking visual appeal in the garden. Plants are attractive enough for container growing on patios or decks. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalRich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Peppers support immune function and eye health. The dark color indicates higher anthocyanin content. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryBlackhawk peppers freeze well for winter use. Can be frozen raw on trays then stored in bags, or blanched and frozen. Ideal for long-term storage. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when peppers reach 3-4 inches long and are firm. Blackhawk peppers can be harvested at the dark green stage (for crispness and mild flavor) or left to mature further. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers; do not pull. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. Peak harvest is typically 60-90 days after transplanting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blackhawk is a hybrid variety developed specifically for early maturity, making it one of the fastest-producing bell pepper varieties available, ideal for short growing seasons.
- 🌱 Bell peppers are technically berries from a botanical perspective, with seeds developing from a single flower and the fruit wall being the thickened ovary wall.
- 🌱 The dark color in Blackhawk peppers comes from chlorophyll; red peppers develop as carotenoids replace chlorophyll during ripening, making green peppers higher in vitamin C while red peppers are richer in vitamin A.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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