How to grow Chilli Pepper (Hot)
in the UK

Chilli peppers, they're a cracking thing to grow, proper satisfying too. You get such a range, from a bit of a kick to something that'll melt your face off, you know what I mean. They do like it warm, mind, so they're often a greenhouse job up here on the allotment, or a good sunny spot indoors.

Sowing

Right, chillies need a long season, so get them going early, like January, February, or March. I usually sow mine in small pots or seed trays, just a couple of seeds per cell, about 5mm deep. They need a good bit of warmth to get going, 18-25°C is ideal, so a heated propagator or a warm spot with a heat mat is key. And if you're sowing early, some grow lights make a big difference, stops them getting leggy, like I say. Patience is a virtue here, they can take a bit to sprout.

Growing on

Once your seedlings have got their proper first set of leaves, carefully prick them out and pot them on into individual small pots. Keep them warm and in a bright spot, a south-facing windowsill is grand if you don't have a greenhouse. Up here in the North East, you won't be putting them outside until well after the last frost in mid to late May, if at all. Many varieties do best in a greenhouse or a large pot on a sheltered, sunny patio. Give them plenty of space, about 45-60cm apart.

Looking after it

Chillies are thirsty plants, especially when they're fruiting, so keep them well watered. Once the first fruits set, start giving them a feed every couple of weeks, a tomato feed works a treat. Pinch out the growing tip when the plant is about 20-30cm tall; it encourages them to bush out and give you more fruit. Keep that minimum temperature of 15°C in mind, they're not keen on the cold.

What goes wrong

To be honest, the main bother you'll get with chillies is often tiny green aphids, red spider mite, or whitefly, especially in a warm, enclosed space like a greenhouse. Keep an eye out for them on the undersides of leaves. I usually just give them a good blast with the hose or, for a proper infestation, a bit of soapy water spray works wonders. Healthy plants are always less susceptible, so good care helps.

Harvest

You're looking at about 95 days from sowing to harvest, so usually from July right through to October. Pick the chillies when they've turned their final colour, whether that's red, yellow, or whatever the variety is meant to be. Just snip them off with a sharp pair of scissors or a knife. They'll keep in the fridge for a good while, or you can dry them on a string, or even freeze them for later.