Question
Our backyard consists of concrete so my husband built an 8' x 8' raised bed for me. I have a green bell pepper plant that has grown but isn't large and so far, no flowers and no fruit. I've tried to grow peppers in big pots in previous years and usually get small plants producing few and small peppers. I have a hot pepper plant in another part of the garden and it seems to be developing peppers just fine. Any thoughts? I live in Pittsburgh, PA.
Many thanks!
Christy

Answer
Perhaps the soil was not well mixed, or if you bought your plant, it was root bound when you planted it.  Once a plant is root bound it will not grow well.  When you buy plants, tip them out of the pot, gently, and make sure the roots are not running around the sides.  

If it is your soil, please go to our website http://www.avant-gardening.com for more information on soil building. It is important to test your soil, and have the nutrients properly balanced. It is also very important to mulch all plants, to keep the soil temperatures even and moisture at a constant level. The more a plant is stressed, the harder it is for it to grow.

It may be warmer where the other pepper is, every garden will have its micro climate variations, even in an 8 x 8 bed.  The edges will get hotter, and dryer.  The center tending to be cooler and hold more moisture.  Then there is north south east and west ends, which will vary in temperature.   

Peppers also do not like cool weather at night, below 55 or 60 degrees....it is better to plant them in the warmest place in your garden, and perhaps place a plastic hoop covering with open ends, over them, as in a greenhouse.  This is true for tomatoes, eggplants, and basil.

Good luck, you can grow....!