Q&A: When are my peppers ready to harvest?
You know we love a question whose answer is “It depends!” Pepper harvesting certainly meets the criteria, but the good news is that there isn’t really a wrong time to harvest them. Peppers are versatile, offering different flavors and uses depending on when they’re picked. Here's a guide to help you determine when and how to harvest your peppers for the best taste and texture.
Understanding Pepper Maturity
Peppers go through several stages of ripening. They start out green and change color as they mature, usually turning red, yellow, orange, or even purple depending on the variety. The color change indicates a shift in flavor and sweetness or heat level. However, peppers can be harvested and enjoyed at any stage, so your personal preference plays a big role in deciding when to pick them.
Harvesting Sweet Peppers
When to Harvest:
Green Stage: Sweet peppers are ready to harvest when they’re fully grown and have a glossy, firm texture. At this stage, they are green and have a slightly bitter, crisp flavor. Many gardeners prefer to harvest some peppers at this stage for a fresh, crunchy taste.
Color Change Stage: If you leave sweet peppers on the plant, they will eventually change color. Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter and contain more vitamins, making them ideal for roasting, grilling, or eating raw in salads.
How to Harvest:
Use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the pepper from the plant, leaving a small stem attached. Avoid pulling the pepper, as this can damage the plant.
Harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more peppers throughout the season.
Harvesting Hot Peppers
When to Harvest:
Green Stage: Hot peppers, like jalapeños and serranos, can be harvested while still green. At this stage, they are milder in heat but still pack a flavorful punch. Many people enjoy the slightly tangy, fresh taste of green hot peppers.
Color Change Stage: As hot peppers mature, they turn red, yellow, or even purple, depending on the variety. The longer you leave them on the plant, the hotter they tend to become. If you’re after maximum heat, wait for the peppers to fully change color before harvesting.
How to Harvest:
Similar to sweet peppers, use scissors or pruning shears to cut the hot peppers from the plant. Handle them carefully, as the oils from hot peppers can irritate your skin and eyes.
Consider wearing gloves when harvesting and processing hot peppers, especially if they are particularly spicy.
Does size matter?
Folks often get tripped up waiting for a pepper to get big like we are used to seeing in the grocery store. Size can be one indicator of whether a pepper is ready to harvest, but growing conditions can have an impact on fruit size, cause one plant to produce fruits of various sizes that are actually ripe. More importantly, don’t let fruit become dull and shriveled hoping ghat it will grow bigger. Whatever color, harvest when pepper are firm and glossy.
Final Tips
Harvest Often: Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production and prevents the peppers from overripening on the plant.
Taste as You Go: If you’re unsure of the perfect harvest time, try tasting a pepper at different stages to see what you prefer.
Watch the Weather: As the growing season comes to an end, it’s a good idea to harvest all remaining peppers before the first frost, even if they haven’t fully changed color.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy a bountiful harvest of peppers, perfectly suited to your taste, all season long.
