So How Do You Determine When To Pick Chili Peppers?
The one best idea to figure this out is to review your planting information or the seed packet information. Most gardeners tend to throw away their seed packets but we advise you to keep them until you harvest your plants...
Because peppers come in a variety we will look at each pepper type and the right time to harvest. We start with the not so hot peppers and finish off with the very hot ones.
They are ready to harvest when they are firm to the touch and full in size, about 3.5 to 4 inches. However, for colored peppers, you should wait until they turn into the expected color. Once they begin to change color, they do so quickly so keep watch. Harvest them as soon as they turn to encourage the pepper plants to keep producing.
These are ready for picking when they are 6 to 8 inches long and fully developed. You will know they are fully developed when they change in color from pale yellow to darker yellow, then to orange, and finally red...
Now that you know how your peppers look like when ripe, let’s learn how to harvest them.
Use a knife or clippers to remove the peppers from the plant. This helps prevent any damage to the plant. When peppers are fully mature, they will pull off the plant easily, if you notice they are tough to come off they could be still growing...
We not only know when to harvest chili peppers but we now know when each type is ready and how it looks. This is the knowledge that will go a long way in helping you grow your peppers. Happy growing and harvesting your peppers.