I seldom grow peppers from seed since many suppliers have them at this time of year. Peppers grow well in out 5 Zone but are late summer producers. I grow eight plants and get many fruit in most years. No special effort is required for germination but some bottom warmth may assist.
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?UTWHD 26 May 2014 Sweet Peppers
Four California Wonder and four Yellow Bell peppers were placed in the outdoor garden. These were purchased in a flat and transplanted to a larger pot and kept in the greenhouse for about a month to establish strong roots. When placed in the garden they were watered with a weak solution of vinegar and water to establish an acid environment, of pH of something lower than 7. The solution is about a cup of vinegar to one gallon of water. Without this treatment my peppers are misshapen and low production.A stake support was added,since the plants bend when in full production due to the fruit weight
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?QROHZ 6 August 2011 Green Pepper Harvest.
Half a bushel of large, perfect green peppers were harvested for five plants. There will be more fruit later, since many more blossoms are present. There is no scaring and absolutely no worm damage. I will make juice mixing with cucumbers and tomatoes.