Tips on Growing Chillies:

The primary requisites for growing good chili peppers are plenty of direct are heat and sunlight –at least 8 or more hours each day during the growing season. Peppers require a long growing season, and longer more intense daily exposure will promote faster germination and development. They can first be harvested once the pods have turned green, roughly 65 days or so after germination. If more time is available, peppers will reach maturity and dry on the plant; usually about 90-100 days after germination.

Starting Chili Seeds

Starting your pepper seeds indoors or in greenhouse, on a heat mat, is recommended. For best results, start your seeds approximately 4-6 weeks prior to transplanting, after the final frost of the spring. Keep the sowing medium warm (70-90 degrees F), and use a peat-based soilless medium to discourage soil-borne disease.

Transplanting your Starts

After the frost has passed, you will want to begin hardening off your chili starts by gradually exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and outdoor conditions. This will promote stronger, more stable plants during the remainder of the growing cycle. After hardening, transplant on an overcast day once soil temps do not drop lower than 60 degrees. For best results, plant can be placed into the ground so that only 4-6 inches extend above the surface of the soil. This will promote stronger root systems, quicker harvests, and sturdier plants.

Select a location that receives plenty of sunlight, preferably facing south to take advantage of the long hours of the afternoon. Chilies also prefer soil that is well-drained, fertile soil. Amending soil with plenty of organic material and natural sources of calcium and phosphorus will help growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Chili peppers are hardy and humble growers, and once established will typically not require fertilizing or special care.