How to Grow Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk
Wikimedia Commons
Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk
Capsicum annuum
vegetableMohawk is a hybrid sweet bell pepper variety known for its compact growth habit and early maturity, making it ideal for container gardening and short growing seasons. It produces medium-sized, blocky red peppers with thick walls and excellent flavor. This cultivar is particularly valued for its disease resistance and reliable production.
When should you plant Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk in your zone?
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Example Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk
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 Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Red Pepper Mohawk dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; grown as annual in cooler zones via transplants
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with first true leaves appearing; plants are fragile and tender
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 70-80°F soil temperature. Provide 12-16 hours of grow light if indoors. Thin seedlings to strongest plants.
Vegetative
4-8 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with multiple stems and leaves; no flowers yet. Mohawk shows compact, determinate growth
Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced or vegetable fertilizer. Maintain consistent watering. Harden off transplants 1-2 weeks before field planting. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers that promote foliage over flowers.
Flowering
2-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear in leaf axils and branch tips; plant reaches mature size
Ensure consistent watering and warmth (65-80°F nights). Do not overwater or over-fertilize. Pollinate flowers by hand or allow bees to visit. Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruit set.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall green peppers develop from flowers and enlarge over time; plant is laden with developing fruit
Maintain steady water supply to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Stake or cage plant if needed for support. Continue fertilizing every 2-3 weeks. Remove first few flowers if desired to promote larger fruit later.
Harvest
Ongoing, 2-3 months or until frostPeppers mature from green to deep red; fully colored peppers are sweet and rich in vitamin C
Harvest red peppers when fully colored for peak sweetness and nutrition. Cut with pruning shears to avoid damaging plant. Continue harvesting to encourage more flowering and fruit production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water jet, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil. Attract natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity by misting, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, spray undersides of leaves regularly
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad, remove affected foliage
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, maintain good air circulation
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Remove and destroy affected fruit, use spinosad, practice crop rotation, monitor regularly
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryMohawk peppers are perfect for slicing into salads, appetizers, and fresh preparations. Their thick walls and sweet flavor make them ideal for raw consumption. [source]
Roasting and cooking
CulinaryThe thick-walled fruit is excellent for roasting whole, grilling, sautéing, and adding to stir-fries, soups, and stews. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidant source
MedicinalRed peppers are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, supporting immune function and eye health. [source]
Container and ornamental gardening
HouseholdMohawk's compact, bushy growth makes it highly attractive for containers on patios, balconies, and small spaces, providing both ornamental appeal and productivity. [source]
Canning and preserving
CulinaryThe firm flesh and balanced flavor of red peppers make them suitable for canning, pickling, and roasting for preservation. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest green peppers 60-70 days from transplant for immature fruit, or wait an additional 2-3 weeks for full red color and maximum sweetness. Cut peppers with 1-2 inches of stem attached using pruning shears. Pick regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Peppers can be harvested at any color stage (green, yellow, orange, or red), but red peppers are sweeter and have higher vitamin C content.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Mohawk was specifically bred for early maturity and compact growth, making it one of the best hybrid pepper varieties for northern gardeners with short growing seasons.
- 🌱 Red peppers contain up to 9 times more vitamin C than green peppers because they've had longer to develop; leaving peppers on the plant longer increases their nutritional value significantly.
- 🌱 Peppers are 92% water, making them very hydrating; their red color comes from carotenoid pigments that only fully develop in ripe fruit after several weeks on the plant.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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