Cayenne
Medium Chilli in the US

To get your medium chillies going, you'll want to sow them indoors, oh, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. For folks in Zone 5, that's March or April, but in Zone 8 or 9, you can start as early as January. Pop the seeds about a quarter-inch deep in good seed compost, keep 'em warm – a heat mat helps a treat, aiming for 70-80°F (21-27°C) – and they'll germinate in a week or two. Don't sow 'em too thick, give 'em a bit of space, you know what I mean.

Once your seedlings have their first proper leaves, that's two sets of true leaves, prick 'em out gently into individual pots. Keep 'em warm and in a bright spot, turning them now and then so they don't get leggy. Before planting out, harden them off for a week or two, gradually getting 'em used to the outdoor air. When all danger of frost is well past, transplant them into warm, well-drained beds or decent-sized containers, about 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Mine do well in a greenhouse, but a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors works a treat.