How And When To Pick Peppers – For The Freshest Flavor & Longest Shelf Life
Knowing how and when to pick peppers can make all the difference in terms of flavor. Follow this guide to learn how to harvest the tastiest peppers ever.
Peppers are extremely fun to grow since there are dizzying arrays of them to choose from; with a variety of colors and flavors from sweet to the hottest hot. It is because of this variety, though, it is sometimes difficult to know how and when to pick peppers. We'll look at several common types of pepper plants and how to harvest them for peak flavor according to expert vegetable harvesting guidelines.
When to Pick Peppers
Peppers have been cultivated in Central and South America, Mexico, and the West Indies since ancient times, but it was early explorers like Columbus who brought the pepper to Europe. They became popular and were then brought to North America with the first European colonists.
Peppers are tropical plants that are grown as warm season annuals here. Given plenty of sun, peppers are relatively easy to grow. Plant them in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Of course, it depends upon the pepper variety, but most peppers should be spaced about 12 to 16 inches (31-41 cm.) apart.
When to pick peppers will vary according to which type of pepper variety you have. Most sweet pepper varieties mature within 60 to 90 days, while their muy caliente cousins may take up to 150 days to mature.
Hot Peppers
If starting peppers from seed, add eight to ten weeks onto the information on the seed packet to account for the time between sowing and transplanting. For most people, this means seed sown peppers will be started indoors in January or February.
Pepper harvest time for many hot varieties of peppers, like jalapeños, is often indicated when the fruit is a deep, dark green. Other hot pepper varieties such as Cayenne, Serrano, Anaheim, Tabasco, or Celestial are mature after a color change from green to orange, reddish brown, or red.
Harvesting hot peppers as they mature encourages the plant to continue to fruit. Hot pepper plants should continue to fruit but production wanes into the fall.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Sweet Peppers
Sweet pepper, such as bell peppers, are often harvested when the fruit is still green, but full sized. Allowing the bell pepper to remain on the plant and continue to ripen, changing colors from yellow, orange, to red before picking pepper fruit, will result in sweeter peppers.
Another sweet pepper, the banana pepper, is also harvested when yellow, orange, or red. Sweet pimientos are picked when red and around 4 inches (10 cm.) long by 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) wide. Cherry peppers will vary in size as well as flavor and are harvested when orange to dark red.
How to Pick Peppers
Harvesting sweet pepper varieties requires some finesse, as the delicate branches will break if you tug at them. Use hand pruners, scissors, or a sharp knife to remove the pepper from the plant.
When harvesting hot peppers, use gloves or wash your hands immediately after picking the fruit. Do not touch your eyes or mouth after harvesting or the capsaicin oil, which is probably on your hands, will undoubtedly burn you.
How to Store Peppers
Peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for seven to ten days or at 45 degrees F. (7 C.) with an 85 to 90 percent relative humidity. Make them into salsas, add them to soups or salads, roast them, stuff them, dry them, or pickle them. You can also wash, cut, and freeze peppers for future use.
Caring for Pepper Plants After Harvest
Once the pepper plant has been harvested in most areas, it is finished for the season and the plant will die back during the late fall. In regions with year-round warm temps, however, the pepper may continue to produce, just as it does in the tropical regions of its origin.
You can also overwinter a pepper plant by bringing it indoors. The key to overwintering is warmth and light. It is possible to keep a pepper for many years in this manner. Many pepper plants are quite ornamental, and will continue to fruit indoors and make a lovely addition to the home décor.
Amy Grant has been gardening for 30 years and writing for 15. A professional chef and caterer, Amy's area of expertise is culinary gardening.
- Amy DraissDigital Community Manager
-
Foraging Flowers: How To Forage Floral Plants – And Which Flowers You Can Pick For Free Edibles!
It’s fun to forage flowers, but it’s important to know the rules. Avoid areas that have been sprayed, beware of imposters and take only what you need.
By Tonya Barnett
-
9 Contemporary Small Garden Ideas – Maximize Style With A Modern Design
Some simple conceptual ideas can transform even the tiniest plot from humdrum to dream design. Try these 9 contemporary small garden ideas to modernize your plot
By Amy Grant
-
7 Perennial Herbs Perfect For Pots – Enjoy Aromatic Patio Harvests Year After Year
Discover the best perennial herbs to grow in pots. Ideal for small spaces, these low-maintenance plants offer year-round flavor and greenery on your patio.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Growing Tomatoes In Containers For Beginners
Nothing says summer like homegrown tomatoes! Did you know you can grow tomatoes in pots? Click to learn how to grow tomatoes in containers.
By Laura Walters
-
Do-It-Yourself Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece
Can you believe this pretty pumpkin centerpiece was made with just $13 worth of supplies? Plus, it was quick and easy.
By Amy Draiss
-
9 Fun Things To Do With Pumpkins That Are Past Their Prime
Wondering what to do with your pumpkin after the Halloween fun is over? Learn what to do with your pumpkins when you are done decorating with them.
By Teo Spengler
-
How And When To Harvest Vegetables For The Freshest Flavor Ever
Vegetable harvesting at the correct time can make the difference between flavorful and unpalatable produce. Here are some garden harvest tips to follow.
By Amy Grant
-
Tomato Verticillium Wilt Control – How To Treat Tomatoes With Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt can be a devastating infection for a tomato crop. The best way to avoid it is to use resistant tomato varieties. It is also important to know the signs of the disease to avoid spreading it from one area of your garden to another. Learn more in this article.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
How And When To Pick Hot Peppers For Peak Spiciness – Top Tips For A Hot Harvest
So you have a lovely crop of hot peppers thriving in the garden, but when do you pick them? There are several things to consider before you begin harvesting hot peppers. The following article discusses options for harvest and storage of hot peppers.
By Amy Grant
-
Tomato Fusarium Wilt: How To Control Fusarium Wilt On Tomato Plants
Tomato fusarium wilt can be very destructive to home gardens. It is a fungal infection that invades the roots but causes yellowing and wilting in the plant above the soil line. With severe infections, you can lose a lot of tomato yield. Learn more in this article.
By Mary Ellen Ellis