Chilli

Heat-loving and endlessly rewarding. Start early indoors and they'll fruit abundantly from midsummer right through to first frost.

Waiting this month

First sprouts in 10–21 days

Sow

Jan – Mar

Plant Out

May – Jun

Harvest

Jul – Oct

Type

Indoor

Difficulty

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Apr

Plan ahead for this crop

•Check growing conditions
•Prepare for next stage

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

5mm

Spacing

45cm

Germination

10–21days

Thinning

One plant per 9cm pot — do not thin, pot on individually

Grower's Note

A heated propagator at 21–25°C makes a significant difference to germination rates. Chillies sown without bottom heat are unreliable.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

2wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

8wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

10wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~20 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

BasilTomatoMarigold

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

! Aphids cluster on growing tips — check under leaves weekly
! Spider mite thrives in hot, dry conditions — mist plants regularly
! Cool nights below 15°C cause flowers to drop before setting fruit

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing chilli

Organic Seeds — Just Seed

Certified organic, open-pollinated

Organic Liquid Seaweed

Shropshire Seaweed — soil & plant feed

Heated Propagator

Reliable germination indoors

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Just Seed Shropshire Seaweed

Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

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Peas

Sweet and tender straight from the pod. Easy to grow with the right support in place.

Kale

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Hardy and nutritious. Flavour improves after the first frost — a winter staple.

Chilli

Growing Calendar

Sowing Guide

Growing Stages

Companion Plants

Climate Control

Watch Out For

What You'll Need

Related Crops

Tomato

Lettuce

Peas

Kale

Seasonal Updates