Chilli Guides

how to grow great chillies

Often overshadowed by their flashier cousins, baccatum chillies have a long and storied past in the Andes. With a berry-like sweetness, tangy brightness and a hint of smokiness, they bring a joyful fruitiness to the table that’s pure Peruvian sunshine.
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Join me on a fiery journey into the world of the Tiny Titans of Taste – a quartet of small but formidable peppers that deliver flavour and heat far beyond their size. Proof that dynamite really does come in small packages.
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Take your chillies from "meh" to "wow" with a touch of LED sparkle. Forget the dull British weather – a little light magic can turn your seedlings into stars. No jargon, no fuss, just practical gardening know-how with a pinch of science.
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Some chillies simply refuse to die. The Indestructibles will survive almost anything….They are perfect for beginners and unpredictable British weather alike — hardy, forgiving, and great for gifting.
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Autumn storms may rage outside, but you can keep the warmth indoors. Bring your chilli plants in to brighten your home and ripen the last pods while the weather does its worst.
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Just received your tomato plugs? Here’s how to help them settle in and flourish. Gentle acclimatisation makes all the difference, ensuring strong, healthy plants from day one.
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Thai basil comes in two distinct characters – Sweet Thai with its aniseed fragrance, and Holy Basil with its peppery punch. Both are rare in the UK but worth the hunt for a true taste of Thai cooking.
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As the days shorten and warmth fades, there’s still plenty you can do. A little extra feeding and pruning now helps chillies and tomatoes squeeze the last fruit from the fading summer light.
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Black Moon tomatoes took over my greenhouse this season — vigorous, early, and beautifully dark. From first flowers in June to ripe fruit by July, they just kept coming.
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Sweet, fiery and gloriously addictive, Habanero Jelly is my go-to for cheese boards and cold cuts. A few pods make a whole batch — the perfect edible gift.
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When winter bites and spring feels miles away, there’s no better therapy than sowing a few seeds. A quiet ritual that reminds you life’s still pushing upward.
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Freshly arrived chilli and tomato plugs need a gentle welcome. Here’s how to help them settle, root, and thrive without shock.
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When plants are racing ahead in summer, nutrient slips are easy to miss. Spot early signs of deficiency and keep your chillies and tomatoes in perfect balance.
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As the nights draw in, help your plants finish strong. A little extra warmth and feed in September can mean the difference between a few pods and a bumper harvest.
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Serrano, Chang Rai and Jalapeño — the holy trinity of garnish chillies. Fresh, fiery and perfect for chopping over tacos, soups or salads. No kitchen should be without them!
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Meet three monsters of the chilli world — Kraken Scorpion, Jay’s Peach, and the 7 Pod Bubblegum. Ferocious heat, wild flavour, and a sense of danger in every bite.
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Long days, lush growth, and endless watering cans — it’s prime time for your chillies and tomatoes. Follow a few key tips to make the most of the summer surge.
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When the season ends, don’t waste a single pod. Turn your harvest into sauces and jams for festive gifts and winter spice.
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A new year, new seeds, and a world of chillies to grow. 2025 promises bold flavours and fresh varieties for adventurous gardeners.
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Slow-roasted tomatoes, garlic and patience in a jar. My way of bottling summer’s warmth — and revenge on the slugs that started it all.
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Yellow leaves, curling tips, splodgy patches — it happens to everyone. After 20 years of growing chillies, I’ve learned that a calm head and a keen eye fix most problems.
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Most chillies look similar until you grow or cook with them. But there are five kinds of chilli and here's what makes them different
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Compact, adaptable plants producing an enormous range of fruit shapes, from sweet peppers to cayennes, typically with a direct, uncomplicated heat and fast maturity. Read the full story ->

Chinense are Broad-leaved plants bearing lantern-shaped pods whose dense tissues concentrate the highest capsaicin levels and a deep, tropical aroma. Read the full story ->

Baccatum chillies are slightly sprawling, vigorous plants and prolific producers of medium heat, fruity chillies that originate in the Andes.  Read the full story ->

Bushy plants carrying upright fruits in clusters, delivering a narrow, persistent heat with relatively little flesh and a sharp, immediate bite. Read the full story ->

Cool-tolerant, hairy-leaved plants with thick-walled fruits and black seeds, producing a steady, rounded heat distinct from lowland species. Read the full story ->

can’t really overstate the value of starting early when it comes to chillies — especially the Capsicum chinense types.  Includes 5 min video Read the full story ->