WINNIPEG

Winnipeg man turns backyard into a hot pepper paradise

WINNIPEG -

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)

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