Everyone knows them in green, red, yellow and even black: the pepper. The first green peppers will be available in the greenhouse from mid-July. Fully colored pods from the end of July. Outdoor peppers that are ready to be harvested follow three to four weeks later. Which ones are ripe?
When and how should you harvest peppers?
Peppers can be harvested from July to October, with green peppers being unripe and red peppers being fully ripe. It is best to harvest peppers in the morning or early morning to ensure the highest vitamin content and best taste. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut.
Harvest peppers at different stages of ripeness
Whether stuffed, steamed, grilled or dried – peppers from your own garden or balcony taste delicious. With the right care, fully ripe peppers can be harvested in abundance.
Why prefer red to green?
Many people love peppers, but prefer the red or yellow pods to the green ones. Why? The green peppers are not a different variety; they are not yet ripe. That's why, compared to the red pods, they don't taste fruity and sweet, but rather a bit bitter. Seeds from unripe pods are not capable of germinating and are unsuitable for growing peppers yourself.
No matter what type of pepper – the harvest time is the same
It takes around 3 weeks for green peppers to ripen and turn red. The harvest season begins in July and lasts until October. If you cover pepper plants with foil in autumn or overwinter them in the greenhouse, you can extend the harvest time by a further 3 to 4 weeks and enjoy garden-fresh pods in November.
Green peppers ripen after harvest
Green peppers are not easy to ripen. But this method has proven itself: pack the peppers in a box. Place a ripe tomato in the middle, close the box tightly and place in a cool place for 2 to 3 weeks. Check the box often to make sure it is dry all around. And then just let yourself be surprised whether the green pods have turned red.
The 3 most important pepper harvesting tips
- Only harvest peppers when they are fully ripe. This guarantees the highest vitamin content and best aroma.
- Harvest peppers in the morning or early afternoon because that is when they have the most nutrients.
- Cut the peppers with a sharp grafting knife or scissors to avoid damaging shoots and other fruits.
Tips & Tricks
The peppers should be harvested by the end of October. This means that after the pod has been separated, the plant has time to close the open stems again until the onset of frost.
