Of all the peppers I have grown (maybe a dozen or so), I have had consistently bad luck with Cal. Wonders....

I garden in east central Mississippi, so it gets HOT here. This past summer, on a whim, really, I went to Lowe's in early July and bought two plants of Big Bertha Peppers, which was what they had that still looked good enough to actually grow. I dug in a generous amount of blood meal and bone meal, planted them in my very well dug loamy clay, mulched, watered and caged the plants. They took off! By frost in mid November, I had frozen 3 or 4 gallons of chopped RIPE bell peppers (brilliant red). Just before frost, I picked all the green ones and froze more than another gallon. They were huge peppers, absolutely perfect, and I did not spray or treat for anything. (I grow organically.)

I grew Big Bertha's three years ago and had almost as good results. They were planted just after last frost.

I plan to use this variety from now on and wait until mid summer to plant them. By that time, the early pole beans have stopped setting fruit (heat check), the early cucumbers are done (and would be eaten alive by pickle worms if they weren't), and the tomato crop is nearly done too. In other words, there's space for something different.

And, by the way, it is NOT ridiculous that you are planning now. I placed my first seed order today. Before the month is out I will have all my planting plans drawn up. Because, by mid February, it's time to start some seeds, start putting compost over the beds, and planting sugar snap peas. So, see? You're right on schedule! :)

1st time gardener in north ga & found your info a great start,thanks a lot,

I'm not sure of the exact variety of bell pepper plant that I have, but it came from a local garden center and has done very well. And that includes the tail end (couple of months) of a very hot summer and drought (Texas). It's still growing and producing peppers. It doesn't seem to mind the cold temps at all (well, for Houston that is).

Best of luck