Asti Red
What sets Asti Red apart
Asti Red sweet pepper seeds give a classic, sweet blocky pepper from Italy that combines rich flavour with a high yield. With its deep red, fleshy fruit and mild flavour, it is perfect both fresh and cooked.
Background and name
The name comes from the Asti region in Piedmont, where this pepper has been grown traditionally for generations. Asti Red has become popular across Europe thanks to its reliable growth and fantastic flavour.
Appearance and growth habit
The plant grows 60–80 cm tall with sturdy branches and large, square fruit. The peppers ripen from green to the deepest red and are often 10–12 cm long. The plant is hardy and works both in a greenhouse and outdoors.
Flavour and uses of Asti Red
The flavour is sweet, mild and fruity – perfect for raw salads, grilling or baking in the oven. The fleshy pepper has a good bite and works very well for stuffing too.
Serving ideas for Asti Red
Cut into sticks for snacking, stuff with rice or mince and bake, or roast whole in the oven and peel off the skin for a mild pepper purée.
How to grow Asti Red
Asti Red is a Capsicum annuum and is sown between February and April. The plant does well in a greenhouse but also works outdoors in a sheltered spot. Support the heavy fruit and feed regularly for a generous crop.
Price is for 6 sweet pepper seeds
Sow in moist seed compost and keep it warm, about 25–30°C for the best germination. The compost should be moist but not wet. A mini propagator helps keep the humidity up. Once the seedlings have grown a little and have their second pair of leaves, you can lower the temperature to about 20°C and move them out of the propagator. They do well on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse and outdoors in summer. For the best results, soak the seeds in Growhelper for 12–24 hours before sowing.
