I use the black cover material as a weedguard in my garden plot as weed pressure is tremendous where I live. Since you have a small raised bed, I would forgo the black cover and put it down next year. It does help with keeping the roots warm in the early spring.

I agree with Bob on the black mulch. Also, I would place the plants outdoors in the shade protected from wind during this "heat wave" to start hardening them off before planting. Keep an eye on them. They may only tolerate a couple hours of that before wilting. If they do, just bring them inside and try again the next day.

After a couple or three days move them to a spot where they will get a bit more sun, increasing the amount of daily sun they get over at least a week before planting them.

Don't let the potting soil dry out too much before watering again, but don't flood them either.

Mix in a quarter cup of fertilizer in the bottom of the hole you plant them in and water well.

Good luck!

Yea...I also agree...leave off the black plastic for now. Your mulch should help with weeds, especially since it's a raised bed.

I'm in the PNW also (Portland). I don't use black plastic, I generally plant out on Memorial Day weekend & have been pretty successful with all my peppers, sweet and hot. But my garden receives full sun from morning till evening and is next to a slate patio which seems to radiate heat.
Our biggest problem up here is the rain! Did you get your plants covered before yesterday's deluge? I wasn't able to & everything looks fine, but the soil looks pretty soggy...

Here, the black plastic definitely helps. I'm getting peppers already. Picked 5 in the last 2 days.
Rick

{{gwi:70914}}

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Sounds like most of you would forego the black plastic at this time of year. I think I will do the same. As for the rain, I will keep the hoop cover closed on the rainy days and during cooler nights.

I haven't planted yet but have the plants sitting in my window garden box which is partially shaded, with the little ventilation windows open. I will set them out somewhere on the patio and try to get them adjusted before planting. Already the weather is changing and getting cooler (70s).

Nice picture of the little one with the green pepper. If I grow a pepper of that size then I'll consider it a success!

Also, good to know that Bells grow well in the Portland area. Gives me some confidence.

Macheske, what an adorable little girl! That picture just makes me smile!

Thanks booberry. She's my garden buddy. She has to be out in the garden every time I am. She loves the strawberries, squash and peppers right now. She's a very happy little girl.
Thanks again,
Rick

stakedtomatoes, where in WA are you?