Chilli Seeds - Early Jalapeno

25 Seeds.

Other Names - Chilli Pepper, Chili…

Early Jalapeno as the name suggests ripens faster compared to other jalapeno types. This chilli can be used fresh, delicious sliced into rings with nachos or added to pizza's and chilli con carne. Very prolific variety.

• Very prolific and early to mature.
• Cone - shaped, thick walled fruits.
• Pungent flavour.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, greenhouse, container garden, conservatory, patio

Sowing Months - February - March

Harvest - July - October

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• Amaranth is great for attracting the ground beetle. This predatory beetle eats slugs, snails, slug and snail eggs, caterpillars and weed seed.
• One of the best plants for attracting pollinating insects into the area is the phacelia. It also attracts aphid eating insects such as ladybirds and lacewings. At the end of the season it can be dug into the soil as green manure.
• Nasturtiums - aphids are attracted to this plant. Grow these flowers close by as a sacrificial plant. If there are aphids in the area the nasturtiums will help to draw the pests away from the crop.
• The strong smell of French marigolds will help to deter the whitefly. Grow close by in pots, hanging baskets or direct in the ground.
• Calendula (Pot marigold) attracts predatory insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies who love to feast on aphids.

Soil Preperation

The soil needs to be fertile and moisture retentive. Add a good amount of well rotted manure or compost to the soil a few months before planting. Add some general purpose organic fertilizer 1 - 2 weeks before planting and remove any weeds. For container growing, use a good quality compost. As containers tend to dry out fast and compost is difficult to re - hydrate, try adding some vermiculite to the growing medium. Vermiculite particles act like little sponges absorbing and storing water and nutrients making them readily available for the plants roots as and when needed. It will also help to reduce the need for watering as often.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Sow chilli seeds in a seed tray or if only 2 - 3 plants are required sow in a small pot. Leave at least 2 - 3 cm between each seed. Ensure enough heat is introduced to allow for good germination. To encourage strong growth, as soon as germination starts move the seedlings to an area with good daylight exposure, a warm windowsill or warm greenhouse is ideal. At this stage they will still need warmth to develop. After 3 - 4 weeks transplant the seedlings into 5 cm pots.
To prick out, use a pencil or dibber to help loosen the compost around the seedlings. Tease each seedling out carefully with as much intact root as possible. Hold the seedling by its leaves to prevent any root or stem damage. With the pencil or dibber make one deep hole in the compost in each 5cm pot. Sink one seedling into each hole so that its lowest leaves are just above compost level. This will allow for new roots to sprout out of the buried stem, which will help to strengthen the plant. Firm the compost around each seedling and water well.
Ensure the newly planted seedlings have access to as much daylight as possible. Keep the seedling warm and away from cold draughts. After 10 - 14 days repot into 8 - 10 cm pots. In late April / May (depending on the temperature) plant out into their final growing position. Before planting out harden off over 7 - 10 days to help reduce shock.

Direct Sowing

Chilli plants need a substantial amount of heat to germinate and develop. For this reason it is not advisable to sow direct in the ground.

Growing On

If the young plants are to be grown in the ground plant at the distance suggested above. Newly planted chilli's will benefit from a covering of horticultural fleece or a clear polythene cloche. For container grown plants, plant one chilli plant in a 20 - 30 cm container with good quality compost and some vermiculite.
For growbags, plant 2 plants per growbag. Once planted water well. Sink a cane near each stem. This will help to support the branches and the fruits as the plant grows larger. Water well and often in hot weather especially if growing in containers or growbags. Lack of water will significantly reduce the yield. The plants will benefit from being fed regularly to top up the nutrients in the surrounding soil or compost.
A homemade organic liquid feed can easily be made from steeping some comfrey leaves in some water over a few days. The liquid fertilizer produced is an excellent source of nutrients especially suited for chilli plants.
As the plants grow larger loosely tie the branches to the cane for additional support. No trimming is required. Do not remove any side-shoots or growing points as the plants will naturally grow into a bush shape.

Harvesting

One chili plant can produce a large number of chilies. Pick the fruits regularly to encourage the plant to grow more fruits. Avoid pulling on the plant when harvesting, harvest by cutting the fruit stem with a sharp knife or scissors. Chilli plants will continue to produce fruits up until the first autumn frosts arrive.
To extend the growing season move pot grown plants indoors into a greenhouse or conservatory.
To store chilli's pick the fruits when they are fully ripe and have fully changed into the colour the variety is supposed to produce. After picking the fully ripe chillies they can be left to dry in the sun or brought indoors to dry slowly at room temperature. Fully dried chillies can be stored in airtight containers for later use. Chillies that are not fully ripe however will not store well and will need to be eaten soon after harvesting.