One of the country's speciality growers, best known for pumpkins, squash and sweetcorn, is successfully developing new niche markets. Peter Barfoot (above left) who farms south of Chichester, has already found that the microclimate on the edge of the Solent is proving its potential in summer for chillies normally sourced in Mexico and Central America. Several varieties, such as Serrana and Fresno, are already being sold by Tesco. Plants are raised in soil blocks, planted in mid May and protected for a month to six weeks before being left to grow in the open. Barfoot is packing the full colour range. Encouraged by the result, he is looking at other crops and conducting trials with sweet potatoes. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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