growing chilli

[Elly]

I bough a home grow chilli kit. They're growing (no chillis as yet) but do i need to put them in the garden or anything? Or just keep them in the kitchen and wait for the little red monsters to bloom? Thx

[DMcG]

Just leave them on a sunny windowsill. The warmer the site, the warmer the chillis. They can be grown outside, but the crop won't be as plentiful. And you don't have to wait for the fruits to go red. When you think they may be ripe, just lift the chilli up, and if it detaches itself from the plant, it's ready for cooking. Or freezing. Or eating raw!

[Guinevere]

I grew peppers 2 years ago (during the really hot summer) and they did really well outside, with loads of fruit and a wonderful flavour.  Tried peppers again, and chillis last summer, which was a lot cooler and wetter - ended up with huge great leafy plants with hardly any chillis/peppers on (and the ones that did grow were really small). 

So it's probably best to keep them on a sunny window (or greenhouse) as DMcG suggest, unless you can guarantee good weather (in the UK - I think not!)  Don't over water them or they'll 'bolt' like mine did!

Also as DMcG say be careful when removing them as if you try and yank them off you will damage the plant.  I have moved and no longer have a garden, so might try growing a plant on the window sill.  Good luck with yours!