Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Mar	May	Jun
S
	T	T
	P	P

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays
T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
P = Sow seed

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: 16 - 20 inches apart
Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Wear gloves to pick 'hot' chillies.
Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in a separate bed as chillies need plenty of light and air circulation.

Small bushy plants. Dark green ovate leaves.

Chilli need warm frost free weather, so protect with glass or plastic covers if planting outside in cooler areas.

Most varieties need a long growing period to produce many fruit.

There are many types of chilli. Some are more fiery than others. As a general rule, the smaller the pod the hotter the taste.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chilli peppers

Chillies freeze very well. Wash, dry, and free whole. Use them direct from the freezer (no need to defrost).
Wear plastic gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling and cutting to avoid accidentally rubbing chilli juice onto your mouth or eyes!

Your comments and tips

12 Jan 25, Sharon (USA - Zone 8b climate): New beginner. I need you to break down t,p,s for me.i want to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage,lettuce, onions,hot peppers, white potatoes .any advice
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04 Jan 25, Gordon (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I live on the central coast nsw is it to late to sow chilly seed this time of the early January
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29 Sep 24, Hannelie Wall (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): I want to plant .5ha with Jalepeno from seed and need some advice pls.
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31 Oct 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Talk to an agricultural department person.
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23 Aug 24, Ching (New Zealand - temperate climate): When is the time to harvest taro and how?
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29 Mar 24, Gavin Mutimer (Australia - temperate climate): Keep getting a maggot like larva in my chillies I know it's been infected when I see a little hole been bored in the fruit I do not know if it is a fruit fly or something else no one can tell have asked many people hard to treat if don't know what it is
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29 Feb 24, Mike (USA - Zone 5b climate): What does T and S mean is that when I would want to move the indoor seedlings outdoors?
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12 Mar 24, Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): S means sow (suitable time) and T means transfer seedlings to growing bed. You could harden them off a bit by putting them outside (in their little pots or trays) during the daytime and then moving them under cover at night. Do that for about a week, then going out into a garden bed will not be such a temperature shock for them.
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21 Dec 23, Johannes Mojela (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Hello I want to plant chillies for mike comission butI have 500.s/m can you please please advise me what time must I start to plant
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02 Jan 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Check the planting guide for your climate zone.
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Snails love small chilli plants so when you plant put some snail pallets around. Chilli doesn't grow well in small cup size plastic pots so don't use them or if you buy a chilli plant in one transplant to a large ceramic pot immediately. Grow from seed in a sandy garden bed seems to work very well to germinate, when the plants are as tall as your finger transplant them into a largish ceramic pot 2 litre minimum and don't be scared of leaving them in a large pot as they grow well in pots. Use a reasonable quality potting mix and water every day, mornings best, Full sun is best so find a spot where the chilli gets the maximum sun possible. The potting mix will have enough fertiliser for the next growth stage so don't add any fertiliser for the next month. Then add blood and bone and watch them grow quickly and start to flower. I've had really good results with blood and bone so have not needed to try alternative fertilisers like manure. The beauty of blood and bone is it is almost impossible to burn or kill your plants. Finally add potash fertiliser a month after the blood and bone to ensure the chilli bush has plenty of fruit. The chilli's ive grown in big pots grow jjust as good as the ones in the garden beds if not better. L put that down to the warm soil and potting mix. I live in Perth too so I hope you have luck with your chilli's

- Peter

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Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chilli peppers

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