How to Know When to Pick Jalapenos, A Growing Guide

Did you know that there’s no wrong time to pick jalapenos? That’s right. You can pick your favorite hot peppers whenever you’d like. Here are some tips to help you decide when to pick jalapenos from your home garden.

When to Pick Jalapenos

Knowing when to pick jalapeños depends on your preference for their heat level and their intended use. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Size and Color: Jalapeños are typically picked when they are firm, green, and measure a mature size of about 2-3 inches in length. However, they can also turn red as they mature. If you prefer a milder flavor, pick them when they are green. If you prefer a spicier flavor, let them ripen to red.
2. Texture: The jalapeños should feel firm to the touch. Avoid overripe peppers that are soft or wrinkled.
3. Time Since Flowering: Jalapeños usually take about 60-80 days to mature after flowering. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, this timeframe can vary. Check the estimated maturity time for your specific variety.
4. Taste Test: If you’re unsure, you can always taste one to see if it meets your desired level of heat. Remember that jalapeños become hotter as they mature and turn red.
5. Visual Cues: Look for glossy, smooth skin. Avoid jalapeños with blemishes or signs of decay.
6. Harvesting Period: Jalapeños can be harvested throughout the growing season. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more peppers.
7. Weather Conditions: It’s best to harvest all jalapeños before the cold weather arrives, as frost can damage the peppers.

Can You Pick Jalapenos Too Early? 

No. But also yes. Here’s some more practical advice on when to pick peppers.

Picking jalapenos prematurely can result in smaller green peppers with less developed flavor and heat. Allow jalapeños to fully mature on the plant before harvesting them.

If picked prematurely, they may not have developed their full flavor profile. Under-ripe peppers have a less intense taste. Additionally, they might be smaller in size, reducing the yield from each pepper. Last, the heat level may not be as pronounced compared to fully matured peppers.

What’s the Difference Between Green and Red Jalapenos

Here’s some honesty for you. When I was new to gardening, I thought that green and red jalapenos grew from two different pepper plants. I thought they were different species.

They are, in fact, the same kind of fruit, grown on the same jalapeno plants.

Green jalapeños are harvested before they reach full maturity, typically when they are still young and firm. Red jalapeños, on the other hand, are allowed to ripen fully on the plant until they turn red. This means red jalapeños are more mature than green ones.

Younger, green jalapeños have a crisp, fresh taste with a moderate level of heat. As jalapeños ripen and turn red, their flavor profile changes. Red jalapeños tend to have a sweeter, slightly fruitier taste compared to green jalapeños. Additionally, they often have a more intense level of spiciness or heat.

Both green and red jalapeños are used in various cuisines. They are sometimes preferred for different purposes due to their flavor differences.

Green jalapeños are used in salsas, sauces, and as a taco garnish. The fresh, green flavor and moderate heat complement other ingredients.

Red jalapeños are often used in dishes where their sweeter flavor and increased spiciness can shine, such as in hot sauces, marinades, or as a garnish for certain meat dishes.

Chipotle Peppers

Chipotle peppers are red jalapeno peppers that are smoked and dried. These provide a sweet, spicy, deep flavor to culinary dishes, specifically Mexican cuisine.

It’s important to note that while chipotle peppers are made from red jalapeños, not all red jalapeños are used for making chipotles. Chipotle production involves a specific smoking and drying process that transforms the fresh red jalapeños into the distinctive chipotle peppers commonly found in markets and used in cooking.

How Long Do Jalapenos Take to Grow?

From seed to harvest, jalapenos take around 140 days to grow. You won’t see this number on your seed packet though because they usually give you a number that means number of days from flowering or transplanting starter plants. It’s ridiculously misleading to new gardeners.

Here’s the total breakdown that you can expect when you start your own seeds:

1. Germination: Jalapeño seeds usually germinate within 7 to 14 days after planting, given adequate warmth, moisture, and soil conditions. I’ve them take longer if the soil is too cold.
2. Seedling Stage: After germination, the jalapeño plants enter the seedling stage, where they develop their first true leaves and establish their root system. This stage typically lasts for 3 to 4 weeks.
3. Vegetative Growth: During this phase, the jalapeño plants focus on leaf and stem development. They continue to grow larger and stronger. This stage can last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
4. Flowering Stage: Once the jalapeño plants reach a certain size and maturity, they will begin to produce flowers. Jalapeño flowers are small, white, and typically appear in clusters. Flowering usually occurs around 6 to 8 weeks after planting, but this can vary.
5. Fruit Development: After pollination, the flowers develop into small green jalapeño peppers. These peppers will gradually grow in size over the following weeks. The time it takes for jalapeños to reach full size varies but generally falls within the range of 2 to 4 weeks.
6. Ripening: Green jalapeños can be harvested once they reach the desired size, typically around 2 to 3 inches in length. If left on the plant, they will continue to mature and may turn red. Red jalapeños are fully ripe and typically have a sweeter flavor but are also hotter than green jalapeños.

Harvest Time

I highly recommend that you start by wearing gloves to pick any hot peppers from your garden to avoid skin irritation.  When you’ve decided that it’s the right time to harvest follow these easy tips.

Whether you’re picking by hand or using tools, handle the peppers carefully to avoid damaging the plant or other developing peppers. 

If you’re harvesting green jalapeños, look for firm, glossy peppers that are about 2 to 3 inches in length. For red jalapeños, wait until they have fully ripened and turned red on the plant.

Jalapeño plants can continue to produce peppers throughout the growing season. Harvest ripe peppers regularly to encourage the plant to produce more.

Storing Jalapenos

After harvesting, you can store jalapeños in the refrigerator for several days or use them immediately in your favorite recipes. If you have an abundance of jalapeños, consider preserving them by drying, pickling, or freezing them for later use.

Perhaps you’d like to try our Cowboy Candy recipe. It’s always a crowd pleaser or makes a great gift. This is an easy way to create a shelf-stable food product with your hot peppers. Choose some deep green peppers and some red peppers for a colorful variation of this delicious treat.

Why Are My Jalapenos Turning Black?

There are a couple of reasons that your peppers might turn black before you pick them.

Firstly, some hot pepper varieties are prone to turning black with over-ripening. We especially see this during the hot summers and/or during drought. If you’re experiencing this phenomenon with an otherwise healthy plant, perhaps the darker color of the fruit is the variety you’ve planted. Providing your plants with some afternoon shade may prevent darkening.

Secondly, you could be experiencing blossom end rot with your peppers. This condition is typically caused by a calcium deficiency or irregular watering, which affects the plant’s ability to take up calcium from the soil. Ensure consistent watering and consider adding calcium to the soil to address this issue.

Third, fungal diseases such as anthracnose or bacterial spot can cause black spots or lesions to develop on jalapeño peppers. These diseases are often worsened by humid conditions or overhead watering. To prevent fungal diseases, provide good air circulation around the plants, avoid overhead watering, and remove any infected plant material.

Last, certain pests, such as aphids or thrips, can feed on jalapeño plants and cause damage that leads to blackening of the fruit. Inspect plants regularly for signs of pest infestation and take appropriate measures to control them, such as using insecticidal soap or introducing natural predators.

What is Corking?

“Corking” refers to the appearance of thin, raised lines or small cracks on the surface of a jalapeño pepper. These lines resemble the texture of cork, hence the term “corking.” Corking is a natural phenomenon that occurs as jalapeño peppers mature and develop. It’s not a sign of disease or damage but rather a characteristic of the pepper’s skin.

Corking typically occurs as a result of fluctuations in temperature and moisture levels during the growth process. When the pepper experiences periods of rapid growth followed by drier conditions, the skin may develop these cracks or lines. Corking is more common in regions with hot, dry climates.

While corking doesn’t affect the taste or quality of the jalapeño peppers, some people believe that peppers with corking may have a slightly sweeter or more intense flavor.

The Best Way to Ripen Green Jalapeno Peppers

The best way to fully ripen green jalapenos is to let them ripen naturally on the plant for the most delicious peppers.

If they’ve fallen off, or been accidentally picked, you can place them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening process of the peppers. Close the bag loosely to allow air circulation and check the peppers regularly for ripeness.

If you live in a dry climate, increasing humidity around the jalapeños can help prevent them from drying out while they ripen. You can place a small tray of water near the peppers or use a humidifier in the room.

Summary of When to Pick Jalapenos

Overall, the best time to pick jalapenos is when they have reached the desired size, color, and heat level for your taste preferences and culinary needs. Whether you like them deep dark green or ripe jalapenos, you get to decide when to pick jalapenos from your own vegetable garden.

Happy Growing!

Donna and her family have been homesteading for most of their 20+  years together in some shape or fashion. She currently lives on their 20 acre farm where they grow as much food as possible. What started as a just a few laying hens, has grown into large gardens, pastured poultry, pork, and lamb. They are continuously evolving their small farm to not suit their family’s needs, but also providing to their local community. Donna’s favorite part of the family farm is her self-built micro-dairy, where she gets to love on dairy cows while serving her local community. Milking, cheesemaking, and processing dairy have become the soul of their homestead and the center of their farm.