Question
My question is about the bell pepper plants I have growing in my garden.  The plants are quite healthy, not too large maybe 21/2 or 3 feet high.  There are quite a number of nice looking peppers on the plants but they are all very small.  In fact, they are about the size of a large cherry tomato.  When I eat them they are quite dry, but not bad.  I have been completely organic, using only seaweed fertilizer, sea soil, and mushroom manure.  I started the plants inside and put outside after frost.  I live in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.  Why are they so small?  Is it becasue the plants did not get big enough before fruiting?  How can I avoid this next time.

Answer
Dear Kathryn,
  I do not utilize the "sea products" you mentioned, but it did raise a question when you say the peppers are dry.  Do these products contain residual salt?  That could hinder growth and certainly would cause dryness.  I utilize and recommend some animal waste for fertilizing, as I believe it simply contains needed nutrients for the soil that cannot be fully supplied by total vegetable compost. I believe this will also increase the size of the plant itself, which may produce larger fruit. I use chicken litter in the early spring when preparing the soil and in the fall allow our burro and goats to clean up the garden, thus they get to feast upon the plants that have ceased to bear and fertilize for next year.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
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