There’s no easy fix for aphids on chilli plants. Neem oil kills aphids, no argument there. The trouble is it also kills off the ladybirds and hoverflies that would keep them down for you. So I’ve stopped using it, and here’s what I do instead. There’s no easy fix for aphids. I get asked about […]
Aphids on Chilli Plants: Why I Stopped Using Neem Oil Read More 🌶️
A greenhouse full of healthy growth can suddenly hold a few plants that look as though they gave up overnight. The instinct is to add more water. Most of the time, water is not the real problem. Heat can do strange things to chilli plants. Leaves fall, stems look bare, and the first reaction is
Why Chilli Plants Drop Their Leaves in a Heatwave Read More 🌶️
Mycorrhizal fungi are one of those gardening topics that attract strong opinions. Here is the full, honest answer on whether they are worth using on your chilli plants.
The Truth About Mycorrhizal Fungi for Chilli Plants Read More 🌶️
The common advice is to pinch off early flowers so your chilli plant can focus on growth. But the research tells a different story, and so does my experience with hundreds of plants every season.
USDA hardiness zones only tell you one thing about your climate. Learn what they miss, why the same zone can mean completely different growing conditions, and 4 things to check before following any chilli advice.
When can I take my chilli plants outside? I get asked this constantly at this time of year. If I had my way, I’d move them out sooner than I actually do. When the sun starts shining, I get itchy feet. It doesn’t matter how good your grow lights are, they’re never going to compete
When to Move Chilli Plants Outside in the UK (Frost Dates + Temperature Rules) Read More 🌶️
If your chilli plants look healthy but aren’t setting pods, or the leaves are lush and green but flowers keep dropping, there’s a good chance feeding is the problem. Not because you’re not doing enough of it. Usually because you’re doing too much, too early. I made that mistake for years. Loads of growth, very
How to Feed Chilli Plants (Without Overfeeding Them) Read More 🌶️
Leggy chilli seedlings driving you mad? Here’s exactly why they stretch, how to rescue them fast, and what to do so it never happens again.
Punchy, bright and ready in 15 minutes. This homemade kebab shop chilli sauce is made with cupboard staples and tastes better than anything from a bottle.
Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce: Make It at Home in 15 Minutes Read More 🌶️
You don’t need expensive gear to grow chillies at home. You don’t need a polytunnel. Here’s what you actually need and what you can ignore. People overcomplicate chilli growing. After decades of doing this and getting it wrong as often as getting it right, I can tell you that the chilli growing fundamentals are genuinely
Grow Chillies at Home Easily: The Bare Minimum You Need Read More 🌶️
Starting chillies in winter isn’t madness. It’s just three things done right: warm compost, steady heat, and no drowning, so you get strong seedlings fast (even with snow outside).
Starting Chilli Seeds in Winter, get Healthy Seedlings Fast! Read More 🌶️
Why I ferment my imperfect cabbages into something brilliant: a kimchi recipe that works with wonky, homegrown veg
Authentic Kimchi from Homegrown Cabbage (Even the Ugly Ones) Read More 🌶️
It is that time of year again. I pick six chilli varieties each season for us to grow together, same plant and same timing, so we can compare progress through the season. If you want a guided way into chilli growing and a community to share results with, grab a kit and grow along. How
Grow With Me in 2026: The ChilliChump Seedkit Is Finally Here! Read More 🌶️
