When Should You Harvest Peppers?
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GardenSays
Peppers are ready when fruits at full size for the variety — in Minneapolis, MN, typically Jul 28 – Aug 19.
- Ready when
- fruits at full size for the variety
- Days to maturity
- 70-85
- Est. first harvest
- Jul 28 – Aug 19
Ready when: fruits at full size for the variety — pick green, or wait 2-3 more weeks for full color (sweeter, more vitamins). Cut pods with pruners rather than pulling — pulling breaks branches.
- Once harvest season starts, check every few days once fruits reach size.
Do this this week
- 1.Watch for the sign: fruits at full size for the variety
- 2.Check every few days once fruits reach size
- 3.Then: refrigerate; before a killing frost, whole plants can hang upside-down in a garage to ripen
Typical estimate · 1 verified source · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
On the calendar: planting on schedule in Minneapolis, MN puts first harvest around Jul 28 – Aug 19 (our estimate from the typical planting window plus 70-85 days to maturity). Weather, variety and care shift this by weeks — trust the sign above over the date.
Storage: refrigerate; before a killing frost, whole plants can hang upside-down in a garage to ripen.
- Days-to-maturity figures are averages from trial conditions — your season, variety and weather move them, which is why the visual readiness sign is the deciding test.
When this doesn't apply
- If you planted earlier or later than the typical window, shift the estimated dates by the same amount.
How this was calculated
- 1. Planting windowMay 19 – May 26Calculated result
Pepper transplants on the same schedule the Planting calculator gives for Minneapolis, MN
- 2. Days to maturity70-85 daysSource guidance
70-85 days from transplant (UMD Extension — Growing Peppers in a Home Garden)
- 3. Estimated first-harvest windowJul 28 – Aug 19GardenSays estimate
Planting window + days to maturity — an estimate; the readiness sign always wins
Data sources
- UMD Extension — Growing Peppers in a Home Garden — Peppers: 70-85 days from transplanting (bells mature green 70-80, +2-3 weeks to ripen color); harvest at full size, cut pods rather than pulling. (checked 2026-07-17)
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