While away on holiday I became very aware of how rubbish our supermarket grown veg can be ! To this I thought I'd start growing something easy and tasty when I got home. My first thought was tomatoes on a big tub on the window but having looked at seeds its way too late to start planting them....

so is there anything that doesn't mean creating a giant heated green house that might grow well on a windowsill that could be planted at this time of year or any other tips ?

Thanks

Steve

It'll be difficult for this year BUT for next year, if you plant winter savoy cabbages and leeks out during the growing season, they can sit pretty in the ground throughout the winter until you're ready to harvest.

We've previously had a lot of success with savoys, though this year not. Likewise our leeks are sitting in the ground looking tasty and we'll harvest one or two at a time through the winter.

For inside, maybe chillis but even then, I think they need more sunlight in order to first set fruit.

Even indoor chillies follow the chilli growing season, and need warmth at night. They are usually grown as an annual, but can produce a second year if very great care is shown them. If you want the fruit to set, you may have to resort to self pollinating with a paint brush. The tabasco type chilli(*) would be my favourite for indoor growing, as it is possible, with careful pruning, to keep the bush to about six inches (150mm) high. I may have some seeds left, if anyone is interested, but I'm moving house soon (to London) and cannot send any for a while.

You will have to keep me informed as to their welfare, though, crop weight, fruit size, etc. will have to be noted.

(*) these are similar to the Kanthari white chillies grown in Kerala.

looks like I'm going to have to plan for next year then !...

I do actually have a chilli plant on the windowsill and its still giving out fruit but getting smaller that earlier in the year !

Steve

I moved my chilli plants into the conservatory in mid September. They were already covered in flowers and baby chillies. I had a few lovely chillies ready too. I think pollem falls from upper flowers onto the lower ones and they pollinate. I haven't needed to use a brush yet, but may be a good idea and may give a better crop.

Last year, I had fresh, hot green chillies well into January and early February. I can't tell you the variety though, I used the seeds from my spice box, seeds of whole chillies that I use in various tarkas etc.

I am hoping they will still be alive when I get back from India!

I think that if your plants are well established, they will grow indoor through winter.

I also have Indian basil, which is a small perineal, bush type of plant, and green peppers growing indoors. Again, the plants were started in late spring, mature and already fruiting when I brought them in.

Mamta