Winnipeg man turns backyard into a hot pepper paradise
A Winnipeg man is turning the negativity of not being able to travel during the pandemic into a positive by developing a new skill in gardening.
Usually during the winter months, Udo Staschik spends his time in the South Pacific, but because of COVID-19, that hasn't been possible.
He said he had become very bored over the last year and a half and started working on a new project -- growing hot peppers.
"A friend, he had his pepper tree which is, no kidding, 10 feet tall, eight feet wide," said Staschik. "So I thought if he can do it, I can do it."
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
Staschik started to grow a variety of hot peppers and filled his backyard with them, noting during the summer he had around 100 plants.
"I guess I have right now about 20, maybe 25 different types, going from super unbearable hot that I would only offer my enemy and some that are absolutely great."
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
(Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
Staschik said he starting growing the peppers as a way to bring the destinations he typically travels to during the winter months, to Winnipeg.
"In my head, I'm sitting there and I can look into the lush greens and I feel like, 'Well, okay, I am doing a bit of a holiday here'," Staschik explained.
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
(Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
He added the activity has become fun for him and helps fulfill his curious side in seeing what he is able to grow.
"And a challenge for myself. I want to see if I can grow (them)," he said.
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
(Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
Staschik said he hopes to continue this new passion and hopes it will show other people it is possible to grow hot peppers in an environment like Winnipeg. He added that it shows Winnipeggers that they don't have to buy peppers from international markets; they can come straight from local growers in the city.
Udo Staschik has grown over 20 different kinds of hot peppers during the pandemic. Sept. 22, 2021. (Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
(Source: Jamie Dowsett/CTV News)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Security Council plans to vote on UN membership for Palestine
The UN Security Council is set to vote Thursday on a resolution that would allow the state of Palestine to join the United Nations as a full member, a step the United States opposes and will veto if necessary.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.