Overwintering Chile Plants in Cold Climates

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Hi Dave.
I often get asked how to ’overwinter’ plants in cold climates. It never snows in the climate that I live in, so I don’t feel qualified to answer such questions. Is it possible for you to write an article on overwintering chillies? Then I could refer such questions to that article.
Jando from Australia

Jando:
Overwintering depends on whether or not you get a killing freeze, i.e. below 32 degrees F. If so, the chillies would need to be transplanted to pots and brought inside the house or greenhouse. They will lose leaves and go dormant, probably, and need to be pruned back. They will revive in the spring and grow new foliage, but after a few years they will lose vigor. The longest I’ve kept fruiting chiles in pots is about 7 years. If you don’t get a killing frost, leave them in the ground and prune back any dead leaves and stems. They should rejuvenate in the spring.
–Dave

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