From mid-July onwards, peppers turn red and are ready to harvest. Then many questions arise before the hobby gardener: How can you cut them correctly? How are they stored? How do they best ripen in August and September? We answer the most important questions about harvesting and explain how to harvest and store peppers.
Harvest time: How do I tell if peppers are ripe?
The following applies to peppers: Each variety has a specific color. When the fruits reach this point, they can be cut off. The exact time depends on several factors: weather, location, outdoors orin a pot in the winter gardencan directly influence the harvest time. The number of pods can also influence the ripening time.
Typically, red or yellow peppers are ready to harvest, while green peppers are not yet ripe. Nevertheless, there is nothing to stop you from cutting them off and letting them ripen. Green peppers can be eaten immediately after harvesting, but they have a neutral taste and no aroma. You cannot grow young plants from the seeds of unripe fruits. Propagation is only possible if you cut off fruits that are already ripe.
When do peppers turn red and yellow? How long does the ripening process take?
It usually takes around 20 days for the green peppers on the plant to turn red or yellow. Sometimes peppers that are harvested green can still ripen a little. However, it is necessary that the fruits ripen a little on the plant before they are picked. Otherwise they taste bitter.
The harvest period extends until the end of September if the weather is good. Outdoors and in the winter garden or greenhouse, this can even last until October.
Let the cut peppers ripen
When it gets too cold outside for the pepper plant, then it's time to harvest all the green peppers. The larger the fruit has become, the higher the chance that it will turn red over time. Line a sunny windowsill with paper towels and place the green peppers on top. In a few days they will turn red.
Harvesting peppers: where to cut them? Short instructions
If you want to harvest peppers, you should very carefully cut off the stems of the pods with sharp secateurs. Cuts heal quickly and the plant is not damaged. Part of the stem should remain attached to the pod.
Harvest peppers in the pot
The best time to harvest peppers in pots is in the morning. The pods are cut off with secateurs or, for smaller varieties, with a sharp kitchen knife.
Tip: If the plant has borne too many fruits, you can cut off the largest ones. This way the rest can get as much nutrients as possible and become ready for harvest more quickly.
Care in late summer and fall is crucial for yields
The plants should be fertilized and watered regularly during the harvest season. Organic tomato fertilizers are suitable; you can also incorporate horse manure, compost or nettle manure into the soil. Provide the vegetables with smaller butregular fertilizer applicationsduring the ripening period.
In hot weather, water the peppers thoroughly every three days. It is best to water the vegetables early in the morning. Potted plants should be watered directly from below, and ideally very carefully and slowly. This prevents nutrients from being washed away.
Harvesting and storing peppers: How long do the pods last?
When the peppers are fully ripe, it's time to store them in a cool, dry and dark place. The room temperature should not exceed 12 degrees Celsius and the humidity should vary between 40% and 50%. The shelf life can vary greatly from variety to variety, but is usually around two weeks. You can line wooden boxes with newspaper and store the vegetables that way. A dry storage room in the basement is ideal.
Washed and cut peppers are kept cold and used in the next 2 - 3 days.
If you have a rich harvest, you can also pickle peppers or cut them into pieces, put them in freezer bags and freeze them. In this case, you should definitely wash and clean the vegetables thoroughly.
When to use peppers to increase yields?
When thinning out, ailing side shoots that grow too close to the ground are cut back. These shoots usually do not bear fruit. If they are completely removed, the plant will produce flowers and bear fruit again. In this way, yields can be increased. The peppers will cook untilmaxed out by the end of July at the latest, before the first fruits appear.
Peppers are a typical summer vegetable. If the weather is good, the harvest time extends into autumn. There are a few things you should keep in mind.
