Ripening Lunchbox Peppers - Ask Extension
Hello,
I'm growing lunchbox peppers and have many green peppers still on the plants. They have been there for a long time without ripening - I'd sa...
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Ripening Lunchbox Peppers #775665
Asked October 18, 2021, 9:57 AM EDT
Hello,
I'm growing lunchbox peppers and have many green peppers still on the plants. They have been there for a long time without ripening - I'd say most have been about their current size for at least a month. Do you think I should pick them and try to ripen indoors? Or attempt to cover and outlast the coming frost for a while? I don't know if the cold temperatures will keep them from ripening.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
There are always peppers that are still green when we get to this time of year. However, they are still fine to eat - still sweet - and can be picked. Peppers ripen in heat, so the cold won't be helpful.
Once picked, they won't ripen further before they start to rot. You should pick them now as it looks like cold is on it's way. Or, if your plants are in pots, you could put them in the garage / indoors overnight to prevent frost damage.
