STEP BY STEP
Sow chilli seeds
Sow chilli seeds now so your plants will be ready to move outside in late May, into patio pots or the veg plot. Chillies need a long growing season to fruit well, so it’s best to sow early. After sowing, place in a heated propagator or on a warm, sunny windowsill – they need 22°C or more to germinate and take 10-14 days to emerge. Then prick them out into small individual pots a fortnight later.
1
1 FILL a 9cm pot with peat-free propagation compost. A mix with added loam is good, but make sure it feels light and airy, as this improves the ability of the compost to maintain warmth, which is so important for germination.
2
2 OVERFILL the pot slightly, then press the surface gently using a flat-based pot or your hand to create a flat, firm surface for sowing. It should be about a centimetre below the rim