If you’ve put the effort in to grow your own banana peppers in your garden, then you’ll want to ensure that you pick these peppers at the most appropriate time!
Choosing the best time to pick these peppers will give them the best flavor and heat possible, so we’re here to ensure that you harvest your banana peppers perfectly!
In general, your banana peppers will be ripe about 60 to 75 days after planting. There are two types of banana pepper varieties out there, and picking time will depend on the variety and how you want to eat them!
We’re here to give you some guidance on the best time to harvest banana peppers(see also: When To Pick Cayenne Peppers: Prime Harvesting Time). Read on for everything you need to know about banana peppers!
When Should You Pick Banana Peppers?
There are a few things to look for that will tell you whether banana peppers are ready to be picked. When they are ready to be harvested, the peppers are usually between 4 and 6 inches in length.
The peppers will usually have changed color from green to a yellow color.
If you pick your banana peppers when they are yellow, they have very strong flavors and a crispy texture. This doesn’t mean that this is the only time that you can harvest these peppers.
If you leave them on the plant after they have turned yellow, eventually they will go orange and then red. Orange and red Banana peppers are sweeter and milder than yellow peppers.
It is a good idea to try a banana pepper at every stage to see which one you like best!
What Are The Types Of Banana Peppers?
There are a few types of banana pepper, and the variation that you’re growing will impact when they are ready for harvest. You must be aware of the variation that you’re growing so that you know when to pick them.
Sweet banana peppers are most often seen, and the hot banana variety is also very common.
Sweet Banana Peppers
Sweet banana peppers are long yellow peppers that are curved. They resemble bananas. These peppers turn yellow, orange, and then red when they are fully ripe.
This variety of banana pepper has hardly any heat, making it very similar to bell peppers or pimientos.
Hot Banana Peppers
The hot variety of banana pepper is around 500 to 1000 heat units on the Scoville scale. This is very similar to the heat levels of a jalapeno.
This variety of fruit will grow to between 6 and 8 inches long and they take between 65 to 85 days to mature.
Eventually, these peppers will turn from green to red.
Harvest Time For Different Types Of Banana Pepper
Sweet banana peppers usually take about 60 to 75 days to ripen. Hot banana peppers will take around 65 to 85 days.
These peppers are ready when they are yellow in color and firm to the touch. Sweet bell peppers are smaller than hot bell peppers.
In terms of flavor, if you are picking a sweet banana pepper to add the fruit to your food, you should pick one at the greenish-yellow stage.
If you enjoy eating them fresh, they are great at the red stage as they are sweeter and softer. Hot banana peppers are better off if you wait until they are nearer the red color before you pick them.
How Do You Harvest Banana Peppers?
When your banana peppers are ready to be picked, there are a few ways that you can harvest them.
The best way to harvest these peppers is to gently pull them off the plant using your hands. You will need to hold the branch with one hand, and, using your other hand, twist the pepper off the plant.
If you are concerned about breaking the branch, you can opt for using garden shears instead. For this, you will just need to hold the pepper in your hand and cut it at any point along the stem.
You should try picking banana peppers (see also: Learn When To Pick Serrano Peppers – The Ultimate Guide)in the morning hours before the sun gets too hot. This is because picking fruit off the plant can put some stress on the plant so it is important to harvest the fruit before the heat sets in!
How To Store Banana Peppers
There are a few different ways to store banana peppers (see also: 5 Easy Ways To Store Your Peppers From The Garden)depending on what you are looking to use them for. If you are not going to use them right away, then you will need to put the bananas in the refrigerator where they will last for up to two weeks.
To ensure their freshness for as long as possible, place the peppers in a plastic bag first, leaving a gap in the bag for air circulation.
If you won’t be needing your banana peppers as soon as this, you should place them in the freezer. This will keep them fresh for up to eight months.
To freeze the peppers, you should wash and dry them first. Then, place them in freezer bags. You can add these frozen peppers to soups, stews, and stir fries!
How To Grow Banana Peppers
Banana peppers are fairly easy to grow if you have the right conditions. Once you are ready to plant the seeds, you will want to follow the easy steps below.
1. Fill Containers With Soil
The first step is to fill your seedling containers with soil. This soil should be pre-moistened, and it is a good idea to use a seed starter mix rather than regular potting soil.
You will need to fill up the seed cells to the top, and pack down the soil gently!
Using the tip of a pencil, make some holes in the soil around a quarter of an inch deep for the seeds.
2. Plant The Seeds
Next, drop 1 or 2 seeds into each hole. If you plant 2 seeds, it will ensure that at least one of them will germinate.
Cover up each seed with soil to ensure that it is planted at the correct depth.
When you have done this, use a spray bottle to moisten the surface of the soil.
3. Keep The Seeds Warm And Moist
For the seeds to sprout, they need plenty of oxygen, water, and warmth. You should find a warm spot for the seeds to live and spray them once a day with some water.
Moving Your Plants Outside
As your banana peppers begin to grow, they will start producing roots, branches, and healthy leaves.
Before you move your plants outside, you don’t want them to start producing any flowers or fruits. If you see any fruits, pick them off the plant immediately.
After the seedlings have been growing for around 6 weeks, it is time to move the banana peppers outdoors. This will need to be done slowly to avoid damaging the plants.
First, you should give the plant 1 hour of sun exposure before returning the plant indoors. Every day you should increase the time by 30 minutes.
You should continue to increase the exposure daily until the plants can handle the full sunshine.
If the banana plant is healthy and happy, you will get between 25 and 50 pods per plant. You will want to continue to pick the fruits off the plant to encourage more flowers and fruits.
Where Should You Plant The Banana Pepper Outside?
You must choose a good spot for your plants to live. You should walk around your garden, considering where the banana pepper will flourish.
You will want to choose a sunny location with very little shade, so planting them on the south side of your house is ideal!
While your peppers will be able to grow in partial shade, the flavor of the pepper will be much better if it is grown in full sunshine.
You will also need to make sure that the banana peppers are spaced properly. These plants won’t usually grow too large, so they will not need as much space as some other chili varieties.
Usually, they will grow about 12 inches from each other. If you are planting multiple rows of banana peppers, you will need to leave enough space so that you can harvest them easily.
You may need to stake your plants if your garden is in a windy location. This is important for the younger plants who are very vulnerable to wind damage.
To secure the plants, use a sturdy piece of bamboo to hold them in place.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! You should now have all the information you need on banana peppers and when to harvest them!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Ripen Banana Peppers Off The Vine?
You can ripen banana peppers off the vine. If the peppers have already started to turn yellow, this is much more likely to happen.
To do this, you will need to leave your peppers near a windowsill at room temperature. They should take around a week to mature.
What Should You Use Your Banana Peppers For?
There are lots of different ways that you can use your banana peppers. These include:
As these peppers are sweet and tangy, they are ideal for pickling. They are also perfect for sautéing and adding to recipes or roasting in the oven.
You have the option of adding them to pizzas, salads, and sandwiches as well as things like salsa.
What Is A Hungarian Wax Pepper?
The Hungarian Wax Pepper is usually mixed up with a Banana pepper. This is because it has a very similar appearance and flavor to banana peppers.
However, the Hungarian Wax pepper is a much hotter pepper than the Banana pepper.
Why Should You Pick Banana Peppers Before They’re Ripe?
Picking a banana pepper in the pale yellow stage will give you banana peppers that have great flavors and are very crunchy. This is ideal for making pickled banana peppers and or eating the peppers fresh.
If you are hoping to hold on to the banana pepper seeds, you will want to wait until the peppers are fully ripe. These seeds will make it much easier to start new plants as they are more viable.
Hi, my name is Amelia Haslehurt and I am a food blogger. As you can guess, I am passionate about what I eat, but what is most important to me when reviewing is high quality, fresh, organic, delicious ingredients.
I wanted to create an online space where others could sample some of my favorite recipes, and share in my passion for home-grown produce.
Whether you are looking for vegan recipes, easy recipes, healthy recipes or your favorite yummy snacks to brighten your day, I can help you out here at LocallyGrownGardens.com
