Peppers, aubergines, and chillies love hot conditions. However the climate here has summer days averaging only 21°C 70°F, not enough warmth for reliable cropping outside. Even under cover I take nothing for granted.
Here are tips to help you succeed. And I want you to have realistic expectations!
My Guide has more details https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/product/pln_sweetcorn-melon-and-capsicums-growing-guide-a1g40qon
Filmed in March, April, May, August and September by Edward Dowding, through 2023 when July and August were cooler and duller than normal.
Homeacres is in Somerset UK, latitude 51. The temperate oceanic climate is equivalent to zone 5b in summer, but zone 8 in winter.
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Peppers and aubergines sown on the equinox, pricked out into module trays and then potted on
02:16 Don’t overwater
02:45 Chilli plants also from equinox sowing, for planting in pots not in the ground - I explain why and demonstrate transplanting
03:53 Where to put the plants
04:47 In the polytunnel to transplant aubergine and peppers
05:33 Spacing
06:23 I demonstrate transplanting an aubergine
07:17 Watering - how often
07:52 10 weeks later - contrast between mature and less mature aubergines
08:42 De-leafing
09:44 Red spider mite - alleviate through watering
10:02 Cool temperatures in the polytunnel, and rotting peppers
10:34 Peppers, not colouring
11:26 Removing sideshoots
11:38 Hungarian Hoț Wax variety - not fully coloured but edible
12:37 Liebesapfel variety, starting to colour
13:28 Napier variety - not colouring, but advisable to harvest
14:10 Challenges of growing warmth-loving veg in a cooler environment
14:39 In the small polytunnel, peppers starting to colour
15:03 7 weeks later, close to autumn equinox - in the polytunnel
15:55 Aubergines, coming to the end of their growth - not great results after cool summer
16:59 Peppers - Hungarian Hot Wax, good for cooler climates
17:34 Yellow Monster, not yet colouring
18:13 Comparison to growth in the greenhouse
19:04 Liebesapfel - development of peppers, can be prone to snapping, need support
20:50 Clearing the plants
21:15 Watering
21:33 Outro - is it worth growing these plants in a cool climate?
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#peppers #growyourownveggies #aubergines #chilli #nodig #polytunnel