Herbs Gave 2022 an Exotic Flavour

My greenhouse has been a much-needed retreat this summer; filled with chilli plants and a precious few herbs, it’s my favourite place to be. Until last year, I have had a strict ‘Chillies Only’ policy in my greenhouse; in case you hadn’t guessed, I really love chillies!

I have come round to making space for some other flavours and been rewarded with a greenhouse filled with a fresh, herby scent whenever the sun shines.

Growing fresh herbs is great way of instantly adding aromatic flavours to simple dishes; freshly picked herbs are a world away from intensively-grown supermarket varieties and you’ve always got them to hand.

It’s been so mild that I still picking some herbs in November and am already making plans for next year.

I am overwintering some varieties on a windowsill in the hope of really large specimens next year. I plan to grow the Makrut Lime large enough to make a topiary ball shape, as you sometimes see with Bay trees.

Plant Early for a Big Harvest

Remember: Chillies are Tropical

Chilli plants are tropical plants that need a long growing season in the UK to produce loads of fruit.

By getting your chilli plugs and plants early from World of Chillies you can effectively DOUBLE your fruiting season.

Small plugs bought in late April will struggle to deliver. By buying chilli plugs from us in February or March (which have been grown with supplementary light and heat), you could begin cropping as early as June and have a huge harvest from giant plants by September.

You might be able to buy chilli plugs cheaper elsewhere, but it might turn out to be a false economy. When it comes to growing chillies in the UK, the earlier you start the bigger the crop. It's simply a fact of nature.

Makrut Lime (aka Kafir Lime)

Of all the plants I’ve ever grown, the Makrut has come closest to beating chillies in my affections. Despite being quite difficult to germinate, it was actually quite hardy. The plant is quite slow growing but is still producing new leaves in November.

The ‘double’ leaves are a sort of hourglass shape, gorgeously glossy, deep green and highly aromatic. I can’t resist rubbing one for a blast of fresh lime scent every I'm in the greenhouse. You have to watch out for the spines though, they are pretty vicious.

I have been quite selective about harvesting leaves as I’m in this one for the long haul. I’ll overwinter it on a windowsill. Leaves have a very strong, lime flavour, especially so when fresh. One or two sliced thinly will flavour a whole meal.

Lemon Grass

My patio gets a fair bit of sun so I popped this plant outside for most of the summer, being careful to water regularly as Lemongrass prefer damp conditions. It exceeded my expectations, thriving in the summer sun.

I haven’t taken too many stalks this year, partially because I planted late. As a consequence the Lemongrass wasn’t as large as it should have been but I plan to overwinter it to get a really large specimen by next year.

Cut stalks at the base with a sharp knife and finely slice the Lemongrass and pop into Thai dishes and soups. Mine gave noodle soups an aromatic and mellow lemony flavour. Surprising for a grass and quite exciting too.

Basil Genovese

This large-leaved Basil has been a sterling producer for me this season. In truth it was more of a test-run and I wasn’t expecting to be as enthralled as I have been with its more exotic cousins. However, it won me over as it grew into a gorgeous, bushy plant.

The leaves are large, quite thick and tough and let off a heavenly scent when squeezed or crushed. I’ve had handfuls of fresh leaves chucked into pasta, sprinkled on pizza and adding a fresh, aromatic bit to salads. I've even made my own pesto!

When picking Basil, pinch off the growing tips just above a leaf node. Not only are these the freshest, tastiest leaves, but the stem then puts out 2 fresh shoots helping your plant to grow stout and bushy. Lovely-looking plants are much more inviting to eat.

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I am moved to write this year to comment upon the sheer quality of this year's plants. I know it has been a fantastic year for chilli growing, but this year's plants were obviously something special. I have been buying chilli plants from you for a decade or so and this year's harvest is knocking me over. I got nearly a kilo of chillies from a single Kashmiri Mirch plant, the Piri-piri is absolutely laden, as is the Cayenne, the Serrano and the De Arbol, with the Superhot Hot Thai not far behind... This year's crop also did a clean sweep of first prizes at the local (Penistone) agricultural show.

– Julian

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After receiving my two orders in full I feel that I must congratulate you and your team for the first class service and product I have received this year. It is the first time I have requested 'plants' rather than' plugs' after a few years of growing chillies in plug form from yourselves and I am not disappointed, there healthy, strong and growing remarkably well after potting on, something I will be using again next year and recommending to all my gardening and fellow Chilli growers.

– Mr P Guest

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Thank you late April already have nodes sprouting I am feeding with chilli focus and plants are in the conservatory!I have grown chilli for 20 odd years and have never had plants grow so quickly thank you very much can’t wait to see how big they will get late summer! There’s going to be some monster super hot pods on these bad boys thanks world of chillies

– Mr Davey

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As ever, all of the plug plants you supplied were marvellous. I have the most amazing crop (or will do) this year ! My Thai Dragon plant is now just over 2 metres tall ! Will be maing mountains of chilli jam and sauces this year. Thanks and looking forward to buying again next year.

– Mr Oake

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Just wanted to let you know this year has been absolutely amazing - the plants i bought from you are nearly breaking under the weight of fruit on them - and in particular the ones that take ages to get going and need the most sun and warmth (i.e. the ones i usually struggle with). Especially successful have been the Purple Jalapeno, Bishops Crown, Madre Vieja, Scotch Bonnet, Wraith, Douglah, peach Ghost Scorpion, Takanotsume, and Brazilian Starfish. The dark leaved stem/leaf plants like Pimenta de Neyde have been a bit slower, but are producing now. Just wanted to let you know, that's all.

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To say that I have only just finished picking my chillies. The harvest has been excellent. We have lots of frozen chillies, dried chillies, crushed chillies and powder. Looking forward to next year’s plug plants.

– C Jones

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Hi, I bought some plugs from you last year and they turned out fantastic! I have made chilli jam, chilli chutney and hot sauce from them and still have loads in the freezer. The pimento di Padron and Aji lemon did particularly well, I only had a few pods the super hots, but that’s all you need with the heat of them! Many thanks

– Dan

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World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

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