This website contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through an advertisement, at no extra cost to you.

Great capsicum debate

Published by

on

Green capsicums on the plant outside

I’ve failed countless times at growing capsicums from seed.

But this season, I’ve successfully harvested the elusive vegie*!

Here’s the secret…

I went to the big green store and purchased seedlings.

I’ve tried planting seeds here and there, in this patch and the other one, this season and that one, but I’ve never had any luck.

They either don’t sprout, or when they do they grow a few cms and then stop, or I grow them undercover and then plant them out – and they die.

So, I cheated. I said I wasn’t going to buy seedlings and I did.

Why don’t I like seedlings? I think they’re a waste of money when you can spend the same amount on seeds and get 100 times more plants.

So, why did I buy seedlings? Because I really wanted capsicums. And for $4 or $5 for a few seedlings, if I get a decent harvest, it’s still cheaper than buying from a supermarket.

Plus, I can save the seeds from some of the capsicums and try and grow them next season – maybe I’ll have more luck with this variety.

Still, gardening is not all about money – although capsicums are $9kg – but it is a great incentive to continue pottering around outside.

* Capsicums and chillies are cultivated as annual vegetables but the edible parts are botanically fruit, according to the WA Government.

Should you prune your capsicums?

8 responses to “Great capsicum debate”

  1. Kitty Cunningham Avatar

    I’m sympathetic to wanting to grow from seeds. And I am completely on board with buying plants if seeds aren’t working. There’s always next year. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Matt Avatar

      Very true! Always another season.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. JP Avatar

    We struggled for a few years with similar problems but have successfully managed to have large, fruitful plants the last couple years. We now start our seeds in an indoor greenhouse and wait until the warm weather is consistent before transplanting them outside. We found a drop in temperature stunts the plant. They love the consistent heat.

    I hope you are successful with your next batch of seeds!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Matt Avatar

      Excellent! That makes sense.. we have varying temperatures even in the peak of summer

      Liked by 1 person

  3. wisconsingarden Avatar

    Where I live, the growing season is short, so unless you want to turn your basement into a grow operation, you have to buy warm weather crops as starts. I bought tomatoes, eggplant and capsicums (we call them peppers). Most everything else I grow from seed. beans, greens, beets, carrots, broccoli, squash, etc. Love watching things grow!

    Like

    1. Matt Avatar

      Oh fascinating – yes, nothing like seeing a newly-planted seed reach for the sky!

      Like

  4. Loreeebee Avatar

    I’m teaching my six grandchildren how to plant veggies (and flowers) from seeds, lots of fun experimenting.

    Like

    1. Matt Avatar

      Love it!

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Kitty Cunningham Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.