End of May at South Devon Chilli Farm: A Season of Change
As May draws to a close, there's a noticeable shift at South Devon Chilli Farm.
After months of sowing, potting, nurturing and dispatching thousands of chilli plants, we're finally seeing the end of our pre-order season. It's a milestone that arrives every year, but one that never feels any less significant for our team.
The Last of the Pre-Orders Leave the Nursery
Over the past few weeks, we've seen the final wave of pre-ordered chilli plants leave the farm and head off to growers across the UK.
For many chilli enthusiasts, receiving their plants marks the beginning of the growing season. For us, it's the culmination of months of planning and hard work.
As soon as the last pre-orders are dispatched, we can switch our attention to our popular "Buy Now" plant range. These are the plants available for immediate purchase, and every year demand is incredibly strong. Many customers prefer to wait until late spring to buy their chilli plants, and as a result we often see a surge in orders as soon as our Buy Now plants become available.
While this doesn't mean we're sold out for the year, it does mean that a significant proportion of our main crop of chilli plants have now found new homes.
Empty Benches Are a Sign of Success
For much of the winter and spring, our nursery tunnels have been packed with chilli plants at every stage of growth.
Now, for the first time in months, we're beginning to see empty spaces appearing.
Of course, there are still plenty of plants growing on behind the scenes and many more available for visitors to purchase directly from our nursery. However, seeing those empty benches is always a proud moment for the team. It's a visible reminder of the thousands of healthy chilli plants that are now growing in gardens, greenhouses and polytunnels all over the country.
The Production Tunnels Are Growing Fast
Whilst one chapter of the season is winding down, another is just getting started.
Our polytunnels are now fully planted and the plants are settling in well. These tunnels play a crucial role in the future of South Devon Chilli Farm.
Not only do they provide the fresh chillies we sell slightly later in the year, but they also help us produce seed for future generations of plants. Many of the varieties growing in these tunnels today will contribute to next year's chilli plant collection.
With warmer temperatures finally arriving, growth has accelerated significantly over the past few weeks. The plants are looking healthy, strong and full of promise for the months ahead.
We're hoping to begin harvesting and selling fresh chillies from around July onwards, depending on the weather and how the season develops.
The Show Tunnel is Open for Visitors
As the nursery tunnels quieten down, our attention turns to one of the most popular areas of the farm: the Show Tunnel.
By the end of May, the tunnel is fully planted with a colourful collection of chilli varieties alongside a range of exotic and unusual plants.
Those who have visited us in late summer will know the spectacular display it eventually becomes. By August and September, the tunnel is packed with vibrant colours, unusual shapes and hundreds upon hundreds of ripening chillies.
We're not quite there yet.
The plants still have plenty of growing to do before reaching their full potential, but the foundations are now in place and the tunnel is officially open for visitors to enjoy.
For anyone planning a visit to South Devon Chilli Farm over the coming months, it's a wonderful opportunity to see the growing season unfold and watch the tunnel transform week by week.
Looking Ahead to Summer
With the busiest part of plant dispatch season now behind us, the focus shifts towards growing, harvesting and welcoming visitors to the farm.
There is still plenty happening behind the scenes, from nurturing the next batch of chilli plants to preparing for fresh chilli season and maintaining the display tunnels.
May has been a month of milestones, and while the nursery may look a little emptier, the season is only just beginning.
Whether you've recently received one of our chilli plants, are planning a visit to the farm, or are eagerly awaiting fresh chillies later this summer, we look forward to sharing the next stage of the journey with you.
