Grower testing pepper theory

A Marlborough vegetable grower is experimenting with growing capsicums in a bid to expand his business and make the most of an empty old plastic greenhouse.

Stephen Harnett, who runs Stephen's Onions and Shallots at his Hillocks Rd property in Rapaura, is cultivating 100 capsicum plants inside and 300 outside the unheated and moss-mottled structure.

He wanted to see the difference in yield and quality between the crops.

The temperature inside was about 4 degrees higher than outside, ideal for growing a tropical plant like capsicums, Mr Harnett said.

A mix of yellow and green capsicums, which eventually turned red, were planted indoors and outdoors, while the orange variety was outside and the sweet banana capsicum was inside.

The crops were planted at the beginning of November and, with maturity setting in between 75 to 90 days, they were ready for the taking.

If the trial was successful, more plants would be added for next season as they took up less than a quarter of the space inside.

Although the capsicum yield for the plants grown outside would probably be higher, the ones grown inside would probably be of better quality, given the shelter from wind and rain.

Supplementing the business in order to supply a larger market was the main driver behind the trial.

Capsicums seemed the ideal crop to experiment with, as there were no other major local producers, Mr Harnett said.

The business was further supplemented by courgettes, watermelon and rockmelon grown outside.

It was only logical to make the most of Marlborough's many sunlight hours and very dry climate, he said.

Growing conditions differed greatly compared to the humidity in Waikato, where several years ago Mr Harnett had also cultivated capsicum plants, along with asparagus.

Fewer sprays and agrichemicals were used on his crops here and, although the chemicals weren't organic, they were used sparingly on a needs basis, he said.

Mr Harnett aimed to expand on the domestic market he was already supplying, which included various weekly or fortnightly farmers markets in Blenheim and Nelson as well as further afield, in Wellington.

- © Fairfax NZ News