Chilli peppers are notoriously difficult to start from seed. Once established though, the small plants are remarkably resilient dealing with the heavy rains and cold nights of a Belgium spring. The plants now through to summer will thrive and produce a good supply of peppers.
The Hungarian wax pepper is a mild pepper that grows particularly well in Belgium. Scoring 3,500 to 10,000 units on the Scoville rate (for heat) this pepper is ready when yellow then turns orange and red and becomes hotter. It works well as a small plant on a window sill.
The Early Jalapino is a hot pepper that also grows well in a Belgium summer. Scoring 3,500 to 10,000 units, the thick walled fruit is ready (and hot) when green, then turns red and becomes hotter. The small plants produce many peppers ideal for hot sauces, Mexican food and pickling.
The heavy rains in June have meant the garden slug population has thrived into the summer (usually they disappear in the heat). Once pepper plants are established they are usually safe from slugs but this year even mature plants have fallen victim to slug attacks. Very annoying.
Chilli peppers are an ideal city plant, requiring little space and not much attention. The plants will crop through to October or November and once the fruits are removed, the plants can be kept on an indoor windowsill over winter for an early start next year. The plants can last two or three years.
