Onions, Peas, Sweet Peppers, and Hot Peppers

One good indicator that your onions are ready is when the foliage topples over. Dig the bulbs and store them in a dry place to cure for at least a week.

Test Garden Tip: If your onions bloom, harvest the blooms and use them in salads for extra flavor.

Tips for Growing Onions

 

It's best to pick them early; if they're left a couple of days too long, they'll go from sweet to starchy. Gather flat-pod snow peas when you see a hint of peas forming inside. Let snap peas plump up a bit before picking. Harvest shell peas before the pods have a chance to turn waxy.

Test Garden Tip: Like beans, you can harvest peas when they're still young and immature. They're also great in salads!

Tips for Growing Peas

 

Peppers are more flavorful -- and nutritious -- if you allow them to ripen beyond the green stage. Most bell peppers will turn red, orange, yellow, chocolate-brown, or purple when fully ripe.

Test Garden Tip: Like tomatoes, peppers will continue to ripen after they're harvested.

Tips for Growing Peppers

 

Like sweet peppers, the hot varieties will have the best flavor if you let them ripen fully. They ripen best at warm temperatures -- so be patient during periods of cool weather and watch them carefully during hot spells.

Test Garden Tip: Wear gloves and wash your hands after handling hot peppers; the hot oils can irritate your eyes, nose, or mouth if the oils rub on them.

Tips for Growing Peppers