Why Grow Hot Peppers
Hot peppers are exceptionally tasty, relatively expensive, and offer a reasonable harvest. Yield can be significantly enhanced by starting them early and maintaining temperatures above 11°C, ideally around 15°C during their early growth. The harvest period for hot peppers is extended, and the fruits are versatile, remaining on the plant without spoiling and usable at various ripeness stages.
However, these plants require careful management, and achieving a good yield demands time, effort, and sometimes financial investment.
How Many to Grow
The quantity of hot pepper plants to grow largely depends on the variety, as fewer very hot peppers are typically needed. As a general guideline, 1-2 plants per person are sufficient, with a planting density of about 6 plants per square metre.
Suitability for Different Growing Environments
Peppers are temperamental plants that thrive in warm, sunny conditions but can also suffer from excessive heat or sunlight, especially during midsummer when they benefit from some shade. They are highly sensitive to early frosts; impatience can result in losing up to 20% of plants in challenging years. While chilis do well in containers, We prefer cultivating sweet peppers directly in the ground for easier maintenance regarding watering. Peppers favour slightly acidic soil but can also flourish in slightly alkaline conditions.
Chilis are successfully grown in containers, with Wellies and Waxjackets using a mini greenhouse to start them early before transferring them outside in July.
Lifecycle
Peppers have a slow growth rate, particularly when deprived of adequate light or warmth. Striking the right balance is essential, with a tendency to favour abundant light as long as temperatures remain above 11°C. It is advisable to start seeds early, but the timing depends on maintaining suitable temperatures and providing supplemental lighting. From sowing to planting, peppers generally take 3-4 months, the longest duration for any crop grown in pots. They flower in late spring and summer, with fruiting occurring in summer and autumn, continuing to ripen throughout autumn.
With sufficient heat and light, they can bear fruit for an extended period, though it may not be cost-effective to pursue this.
Interestingly, peppers are self-fertile, producing fruit without the need for pollinating insects or manual fertilisation.
While peppers can be saved and overwintered, requiring pruning and careful storage to prevent freezing, this practice is often avoided due to the significant space it consumes—about six times more than growing new plants.
Sowing and Harvesting Periods
Sweet peppers are often enjoyed fresh, making a lengthy harvest period particularly desirable. In contrast, Wellies and Waxjackets is less particular about the timing of hot pepper harvests, as long as fresh fruits are available when needed for ketchups and jams. Hot peppers can be harvested when ripe and frozen for later use.
First Earlies (Sow in Early December for a Harvest in Early Summer)
This batch of chilli peppers is typically started in December, taking advantage of available grow lights, which also support salad growth during the winter months. About a dozen chilis are sown, providing ample yield for the mini greenhouse and allowing for practical heating in May.
Second Earlies (Sow in Early January for a Harvest in Mid-Summer)
A second batch of peppers is sown in early January, offering additional assurance against potential issues with the first earlies. This batch continues to yield throughout summer, with a final harvest in October. It is also grown under lights until around March.
Early Main Crop (Sow in Early February for a Harvest in Mid-Summer)
With limited demand for hot peppers, Wellies and Waxjackets find that early crops suffice. Early February is the earliest sowing date recommended for those without grow lights but with a warm, south-facing window sill.
Main Crop (Sow in Late February for a Harvest in Late Summer)
Again, due to low demand for hot peppers, early crops are sufficient. Late February is deemed the best date for sowing without lights, particularly for those with a sunny window sill or planning to plant outdoors.
Late Crop (Sow in Summer for a Harvest in Winter)
Late sowings yield smaller plants that can be grown without heat and then transitioned indoors onto a sunny windowsill for a winter harvest.
Recommended Varieties
Wellies and Waxjackets has experimented with numerous chilli pepper varieties over the years, ultimately settling on a few reliable options that perform well and provide a diverse range of colours, shapes, and sizes. The preference is for larger fruits that are easier to cook with, avoiding excessively hot varieties that may overwhelm the palate.
How to Sow
Peppers require temperatures consistently above freezing, ideally remaining above 11°C for optimal growth. This temperature threshold leads to rapid, healthy growth and excellent yields, while lower temperatures can yield unpredictable results.
While peppers are thought to prefer slightly acidic soil, this guidance is less applicable to Wellies and Waxjackets, grow a variety of crops in the same beds each year, finding that neutral or slightly alkaline soil works well.
Planting Guidelines
- Ideally, plant under cover in mid to late May, when long-range forecasts indicate night-time temperatures above 10-11°C. Outside planting is generally suitable in early to mid-June.
- If planting earlier, additional heat will be necessary, as fleece alone may not suffice.
- Select a warm, sheltered, sunny spot for outdoor planting, preferably against a south-facing wall that absorbs and retains heat.
- Consider wrapping plants with fleece or bubble wrap during the initial weeks if planting outdoors.
- Chilli peppers thrive in 20-30 litre pots, allowing them to grow into substantial plants.
- Starting chilis in a greenhouse is recommended, moving them outdoors in mid to late summer to free up space for drying garlic and onions.
Planting (Spacing)
Chilli peppers are not typically planted in the ground at Wellies and Waxjackets, which reserves that space for more essential sweet peppers. Chilis do well in 20-30 litre containers, though some growers may opt for smaller pots if they excel at watering.
Planting Method
Before planting, ensure that containers have been pre-warmed by leaving them in the greenhouse for a week. Water with warm water on planting day for optimal results.
Feeding and Watering
Feeding and watering practices mirror those used for tomatoes, requiring slightly less water. Containers should remain moist without becoming waterlogged. One viewer of Wellies and Waxjackets has reported success from keeping chilli pots submerged in trays of water for consistent moisture, suggesting experimentation with this method.
Pruning/Managing While Growing
Wellies and Waxjackets do not prune. Tests to remove growing tips for bushier plants have shown no significant benefits, as plants tend to bush out naturally once their stems can support additional branches.
Harvesting
Chilis tend to become stronger as they ripen, so harvesting should be based on personal taste.
Storing
Most peppers are consumed fresh or cooked within a week of harvesting, with any excess being frozen for later use.
Plant Removal
Not applicable for container-grown plants; all plants and roots are composted.
Companion Planting
Not applicable for container-grown plants.
