Grow Your Own Padron Chilli Peppers
Bring a touch of Spain to your garden with Padron Chilli Pepper Seeds. Famous for their unpredictable heat levels, these peppers make a delightful addition to any meal, offering a mix of mild and spicy flavours that keep you guessing.
Perfect for UK Climates
Padron peppers are well-suited to cooler growing seasons, making them an excellent choice for UK gardeners. Since they don’t need to fully ripen before harvesting, you can start enjoying them earlier than many other chilli varieties.
Sowing and Germination
- Sowing Time: Start seeds indoors from February to April.
- Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1 cm deep in quality compost.
- Temperature: Keep soil at a consistent 20–25°C for optimal germination.
- Germination Period: Expect seedlings to appear within 7–14 days.
Planting and Growing Conditions
- Transplanting: Once seedlings are robust enough, transplant them into individual pots.
- Outdoor Planting: After the last frost, move plants to a sunny, sheltered location.
- Soil Requirements: Prefer well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
- Pot Growing: Suitable for pots ranging from 7.5 to 10 litres—ideal for patios and balconies.
- Support: Provide stakes or supports to keep the tall plants upright.
Care and Maintenance
- Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging.
- Feeding: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer once flowering commences to encourage fruit development.
- Sunlight: Require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Harvesting and Culinary Uses
- When to Harvest: Pick peppers when they’re 4–6 cm long for a mild flavour; longer peppers may have increased heat.
- Culinary Tips: Traditionally fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, they’re a staple in Spanish tapas. Enjoy them whole, seeds and all.
- Versatility: Great for grilling, adding to salads, or spicing up your favourite recipes.