Peppers by Post - Growing and Packing Chillies

All Peppers by Post chillies are grown at Sea Spring Farm, our small market garden in rural Dorset. Overlooking the English Channel, the holding is on a south-facing slope that provides the sunny environment needed for growing chillies. To guarantee production in our English climate, the chillies are grown in polytunnels. Heat is trapped inside by the tunnels’ plastic, raising the temperatures to levels better suited to these tropical plants.

Farm yard manure and thoroughly composted plant material are alternatively applied every spring to improve the structure of our heavy clay loam soil. In addition, pelleted chicken manure is applied annually to maintain soil fertility.		Applying farm yard manure
After the manures have been spread, they are mixed into the soil with a small, self-propelled rotavator. Rotavating also knocks down weeds and loosens the soil in preparation for making the raised beds and transplanting.		Rotavating the soil
Beds running the length of the tunnels are made from the loose soil. The beds are raked flat, and irrigation pipes laid out on top of them.		Irrigation pipes laid on top of the beds
The beds and pathways of each tunnel are covered with a sheet of black plastic to control weeds and reduce the need to irrigate. Young chilli plants are then transplanted onto the beds through holes cut into the plastic.		Young plants transplanted through black plastic
As the plants grow larger and become top heavy with fruit, they are tied up with string so they won’t fall over.		Plants tied up and almost ready for harvesting
Aphids are the only serious pest of the chillies. Natural populations of predator insects are encouraged in rough areas outside the tunnels. But in the case of a serious attack, we spray with a corn starch solution that clogs the breathing pores of the aphids, but is quite safe to the environment. This is followed up by the release of bought-in predator insects that attack and kill the aphids.		Predator release to control aphids
By the end of July the chillies are ready to harvest. Once the season starts, we normally pick and post orders on Mondays and Thursdays.		Just picked chillies: Hungarian Hot Wax (left), Spanish Fryer (back right) and Serrano (front right)
Chillies are sealed into labelled plastic bags, put into boxes and weighed. Lighter orders are set by first class post, while the heavier ones go by courier on a next-day delivery service.		Pack of Serrano ready for boxing up and posting