Ripening Books & Peppers
‘I wrote this book because . . .’ I say as I walk Puffin through the woods.  ‘Ultimately, it’s about . . .’ I say as I’m watering the...
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lukeathompson
- Aug 16
- 2 min
Writer versus Barbecue
I was meant to be doing a barbecue for Sarah’s parents while they’d all gone swimming, but as I was wheeling out the cooker from the...
lukeathompson
- Jul 28
- 3 min
Meet the Peppers
The end of July has seen a number of the peppers accelerate, although the wet has also seen the slug population accelerate too. I've seen...
lukeathompson
- Jul 13
- 3 min
Pestilence
I recently noticed the yellowing of some leaves in the greenhouse and a couple of plants dropped their leaves. I’ve been pretty attentive...
lukeathompson
- Jul 3
- 1 min
An Appreciation of the Cayennetta
At the beginning of the year I hadn’t even heard of the Cayennetta but right now, as of 3rd July 2024, it’s just about my favourite of...
lukeathompson
- Jun 25
- 3 min
The Month of Pubescens
Intro I’ve grown peppers idly for a number of years but only a few varieties. Cataloguing what’s been happening and when it’s happening...
lukeathompson
- Jun 8
- 3 min
Pinching out and the Runt Trough
7th June. Cutting off flowers feels a bit Addams family but that’s what I’ve been doing. I mentioned this process last time but thought...
lukeathompson
- Jun 2
- 4 min
CREATING A MONSTER: Chinense / TF Powys / Ivy Aphids / Leaf Curl / First Flowers
Until recently I was sitting on the floor of the greenhouse to write, enjoying the wildlife that was passing by or through - goldfinches,...
lukeathompson
- May 27
- 2 min
The Baccatum Resurgence
Confession: I dismissed a whole species. The Baccatums. I have two Baccatum types growing, the Peach Sugar Rush Stripey and the Zebrange,...
lukeathompson
- May 17
- 1 min
Free Hot Pepper Plants!
I have some chilli plants to give away. When ordering seeds from a grower in Wales I was given a free pack of mixed hot pepper seeds....
lukeathompson
- May 12
- 4 min
The Balance: size, season and species
12th May May is a busy month. Every day I’m potting up, planting out or moving the peppers. They’re all growing slightly differently. I...
lukeathompson
- May 10
- 2 min
Taking the Chillies for a Walk
10th May Every morning and evening I’m taking the chillies for a walk. In the morning I take the plants out to the greenhouse and in the...
lukeathompson
- Apr 29
- 3 min
Making Mistakes, Potting On & the Supercharged Annuum
I give very good advice, but I very seldom follow it. I find myself making some basic mistakes. Mistakes I know not to make and have made...
lukeathompson
- Apr 21
- 3 min
Out with the Toad, in with the Douche: Transplanting Jalapenos
The cat has moved into the greenhouse. I’m dropping hints, like putting in preparatory bamboo cane stakes, but he just curls himself...
lukeathompson
- Apr 15
- 3 min
Seedlings Up / Heat Mat Out / Fungus Gnats In:
All the seeds are up so yesterday I took out the heat mat and we’re just relying on the Cornish weather now. Yesterday that meant...
lukeathompson
- Apr 1
- 3 min
On Worms
Now I am terrified at the Earth, it is that calm and patient, It grows such sweet things out of such corruptions, It turns harmless and...
lukeathompson
- Mar 22
- 2 min
Bigger is not better - a lesson learned on germination
I’ve learned a lesson for speedier germination and I will definitely have Orange Habanero plants to give away now! With that last lot of...
lukeathompson
- Mar 2
- 3 min
Hatchlings and Ladybirds
2nd March. They’re up! (Or some of them are.) I love the ways chilli seedlings hatch. It’s like very slow motion of someone rising from...
lukeathompson
- Feb 17
- 2 min
Spring(y) Sowing
16th February It’s felt like Spring today. A few minutes of sunshine brought raggedy bumblebees out to the heather and a thick smog of...
lukeathompson
- Feb 12
- 2 min
Sowing Hairy Chillies
4th February. I’m sowing the Rocoto seeds first. They want a longer growing season so I thought I’d give them a week or two’s head start....
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