DON'T ANNIE... DON'T!

Around the garden here I'm so used to pinching and plucking chillies.  Thanks to the birds around the island, I do the same too when I come across volunteer chillie plants sprouting in the wild.  

One morning, as I stepped out of my apartment and was on my way to the lift lobby, I caught sight of my neighbour's chillie plant which was covered with red chillies.  

Not that I needed more chillies but out of habit, I walked near the plant and was about to pull out those riped chillies when something in me said "Don't Annie... don't!"

Habits never die. 

People say gardening is a hobby for the retirees and elderlies.  Is it? 

FIRST HARVEST OF THE YEAR!

What can be sweeter than these to kick-start the New Year!

They're not exactly my favourite but seeing each one bud from flower to fruit is amazing.  They started off a little pale yellow turning a nice shade of purple and finally a little orange to this final crimson colour.

They're really this glossy.  How not to love them when they're as sweet as they look? 

FRIENDS AND FOES

Chillies / Peppers and I are friends.

There's something about growing chillies / peppers that excite me all thanks to the weather here that is just so conducive to growing them.

Success rate is high as compared to growing tomatoes which has always been my biggest obsession and nightmare simultaneously.  

From experience they thrive even in the poorest soil with minimum water but I am not saying you should leave them thirsty.  It's just that you can get away for a few days without having to worry about them.  Off course like all other plants if you tend to their needs well, they will reward you handsomely.

My only grievance in growing chillies is that caterpillars like to strip my plants naked of leaves.  They just love to munch on those plants with smallish leaves while they steer clear of the bigger and tougher leaves.  Snails on the other hand do not fancy eating leaves.  They are a sophisticated lot and love nothing better than feasting on sweet peppers even if that is just my one and only on the branch!

 

While chillies and peppers are my friends, clearly the bugs and slugs are my biggest enemies especially since I am contemplating if I should focus on just growing different types of chillies and peppers in the near future.

Haven't you heard about the benefits of eating this hot stuff?  Well I'll leave the talking for another day... :)