Afal Cariad (Love Apple) Sweet Pepper (organic)

£2.80

16 in stock

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A great variety, known as ‘Leibesapfel’ in its native Germany. It’s equally suited to the climate here in Wales, as it’s early, so will ripen even in a dull, wet year, then carry on producing into late autumn. Fruits are squat and ribbed with thick and juicy flesh. The taste is sweet, mild and fruity, so can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes, as you would with any sweet / bell pepper.

My favourite? Romesco sauce…. roasted peppers whizzed up with toasted almonds, garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Great on fish or a tray of roasted veg.

Approx. 12 seeds.

Botanical name: Capsicum annuum

Grown by: Carolyn Moody

Growing instructions – Peppers

Both sweet peppers and chilli peppers need a long growing season and so it is best to start them early in a propagator which has a temperature of 25 – 30 degrees C. I start mine at the end of January, but anytime in February should be OK, however early March is the latest really to get a good crop. Make sure that the propagator is not in direct sunlight as this can affect the temperature greatly. Grow lights can be really helpful to keep the seedlings stocky. Once they have germinated then prick them out into modules or small pots to grow on. Don’t overpot them as the plants seem to like a slightly restricted growing environment for their roots, but you may need to pot them on once during the growing on period. You can grow them on at a lower temperature, but keep them warm or they will sulk. Keep them warm till mid to late April when the greenhouse temperatures should be warm enough but if your conditions are chilly at night then take measures to protect them by bringing them back in the house overnight. By May you should be able to plant them in a larger pot or in a greenhouse bed. Keep the plants fed on a weekly basis – I use homemade comfrey feed but seaweed feed is also good.