Sow your peppers & chillis now

misskool

yup, already have chillies, tomatoes, early peas, broad beans, cauli, leeks, onion, cabbage here.

But I am down south and I have a greenhouse that I can heat. Also contemplating polytunnel so I have a longer season....

RHYSDAD

I'm holding back a bit. The Netweather website i visit has some talk of Spring being later than normal this year, maybe by a couple of weeks or even more. Also an old boy we knew used to always sow his seeds a fortnight later than anyone else and he usually had a better yield than those early sowings....

I'm going for a later Spring and later sowings....(it'll probably be superwarm now first week of March!!)

Rummer

Arrghh I always seem to be one step behind! Thank you for the advice I will get mine out on the window ledge today!

roosterpotatoes

I started mine about a week or so ago, i knew i was a tad early but am thinking of keeping them inside at more of a constant temperature because last year they didnt start fruiting (as such) until late august and i want them earlier before the frost sets in

Strapped

Am I the only one whose chillis keeping going through winter? I treat 'em as perennials - cut them down at the end of the growing season and keep them on the kitchen windowsill. They have sprung back the last couple of weeks, and are even starting to flower.

alanobrien

I used to keep them going through the winter but run out of space so i dont bother now.

These days i put seed in the prop at the end of January and as soon as they are up transfer them to an old 2ft long aquarium i have. It has a 22w grow light (no water obviously ) and is excellent for growing chillies on until they can be put out into the greenhouse.

tomsolomon

Just potted mine along with cucumbers and sprouts....;)

I have a chilli plant from last year overwintering in my kitchen and still producing......:D

Oh btw it was a new moon yesterday if anyone is interested, so ideal time for planting....

http://www.gardeningbythemoon.com/phases.html

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/time/moon/

lynzpower

Davesnave wrote: »

Yes, it's worth mentioning that they germinate best at a high temperature too; between about 22C and 25C is good. Frankly, my shop-bought propagator cannot maintain those temperatures in the conservatory, so I've got mine going in the kitchen where there's an Aga.

The problem is keeping them going one they've come up. They mustn't receive a cold shock, but nor must they be kept at a high temperature in less than ideal light, or they will get leggy and possibly keel over. I'm moving mine to the kitchen windowsills and pricking-out as soon as I dare.

Just to ask. I have all the pots etc ready.

I have a glass lean to. I can plant indoors.

Glitch is we have no central heating and its COLD.

I know dumb question, but I should wait till its warmer? Right?

When will it be 22 outside

Davesnave

lynzpower wrote: »

Just to ask. I have all the pots etc ready.

I have a glass lean to. I can plant indoors.

Glitch is we have no central heating and its COLD.

I know dumb question, but I should wait till its warmer? Right?

When will it be 22 outside

Consistent 22C outside is just about impossible anytime in UK!

I would think that, even without central heating, your warmest room would give fair results, (or the airing cupboard?) but yes, I'd delay a little yet, because you need somewhere to put them when they've germinated. The lean-to sounds good, but you may have to move them in and out of there as night time temperatures dictate, even in late March/April.

IIRC you are in the London area, so warmer than many!

lynzpower

Dave, I have a few photos on my blog, hope to have something to show off up there later in the year