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Rather than keeping these in the greenhouse, the plan is simple: sow them now, then grow them on indoors on bright windowsills above a radiator. No grow lights, no racks, just natural light and a bit of warmth.
What I’m Growing
This first sowing includes a mix of varieties:
- Sweet Banana peppers
- Candy Cane peppers
- A mixed chilli variety pack, including Carolina Reaper and a few names I can’t even pronounce
I tend to favour flavour over extreme heat, so the Sweet Banana and Candy Cane varieties really appeal. They’re milder, versatile, and great for cooking with a bit of warmth, but lots of taste.
Compost & Sowing
I used a coir-based mix with a little compost, feed already included, and some perlite to help with moisture control. Coir holds water well without becoming soggy, which is ideal for germinating seeds. Before sowing, I broke up any frozen or compacted lumps, as seedlings don’t need to be fighting their way through big clods of compost.
Once the trays were filled and lightly watered, the seeds were spaced out carefully. Not every seed will germinate, that’s just how it goes…..but giving them room from the start improves their chances.
Why Start This Early?
This is probably the earliest I’ve ever started chillies, but UK summers aren’t always long or hot enough for peppers to thrive if you wait too long. Getting them going now gives a bit of breathing room later on.
I’m also overwintering a few chilli plants from last year, which should give an additional head start, that’s assuming they survive. Overwintering is always a bit of a gamble, but when it works, it’s worth it.
Keeping Track
Labels went straight in……a lesson learned the hard way. Once seedlings start coming up, it’s surprisingly easy to forget what’s what. These new trays I purchased come with clear lids, which will help maintain humidity during germination, so fingers crossed they work a treat.
For now, everything’s sown, watered lightly, and ready to head indoors. Whether it’s too early or perfectly timed… we’ll soon find out.
➡ Link to the Chillies Video - https://youtu.be/wFNKbV6oFZw
➡ Explore more winter experiments, early sowing & greenhouse tests:
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