Bell Peppers (getting clean ripe fruit without pesticides)

[mooman]

I have started a small market garden this year and have planted about 150 red and yellow bell pepper plants. In years past I have always let them rippen up because the taste is soooooooo much better than when green. Of course right when they start to ripen is when they get hit by all sorts of beasties.

I usually just cut out any affected part of the fruit and didn't really bother with any preventative measures, but with taking my produce to market this year it needs to be perfect (american consumers :/ )

Any tips on producing high quality ripe bell peppers without using pesiticides? I will not be going "organic" (using inorganic ferts) but want to be able to say my peppers are "pesticide free"

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

It all depends what you are trying to get rid of.

Soap and water does great on aphids.

Basil planted near peppers help both plants grow better. Marigolds help deter tons of pests from the garden.

Do you any more specifics as to what is attacking them?

 

[mooman]

No specifics. In years past I just didn't worry about it enough try and identify it. Guess I'll have to get better at diagnosis this year.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I plant marigolds by mine.

 

[SewingDiva]

You can use row covers too.