[Haileson]

Hi
I am an inexperienced allotment holder. I also have a green house at home. I am really interested in growing chillies. My question is can I still sow chilli seeds in late May and expect a reasonable crop?

[Headgardener22]

I would say not.

Chillis need a long growing season and I sow mine in January/February.

I'm afraid if you want chillis this year you're probably going to have to buy plants from a garden centre.

[Totty]

I'll second that. Mine were sown in feb, under lights and they are big enough for planting out now. Get some decent plants from a garden centre if I were you.

Totty

[Lardman]

Have a look/ask around your allotment site - this time of year people are putting things into their final positions only to discover they don't have room for 50 jalapeņos  Im sure most plotters would rather gift a plant than compost it 

[gavinjconway]

Our B&Q and garden centre has loads of big plants for sale - I'd go that route.

[Haileson]

Thanks for your replies. I went to the local garden centre recommended by one of my allotment colleagues and bought quite a few chilli peppers as well as some sweet peppers and loads of other plants at a really good price.

[mrsbean]

totty, how big are your plants now. did mine march just potted them into 7in pots,from 3in ones. they are about 6ins never sure about pot sizes had them in greenhouse border last year.

[Totty]

Most of them are no more than 6 inches tall but I do nip the tips out of mine so they bush out. They are in 5 inch pots when ready to plant out, which I did along with my toms last week, and took forever.

Totty

[mrsbean]

   Totty, my word see what you mean. are you growing as a business or an avid grower. great greenhouse. will take your tip of pinching out tip. mine were on the sparse side last year.                 

[Totty]

Grow the veg in a walled garden for the on site hotel.  Some seem to produce a lot of strong sideshots straight away, I leave them, and pinch out all the rest.

Totty

[mrsbean]

  Totty, thanks for the tips. cant wait for them to grow now. You must be a very busy person. CHEERS