I'm a lot like you. It also depends on the variety and type. A lot of Jalapenos will get what I call corking that indicates they are mature usually. I have grown them so long I can tell. If picking green which I do a lot of mine including the NM types the best way is to pick one and try it. If not mature wait longer on the next one. In time a person will be able to judge when they are ready. I've always said they are ready to pick if I'm real hungry for one. LOL. Jay

I'm no expert in gardening, but one idea might be to take pictures of mature and immature peppers, and try to explain noticeable differences between the two? Examine one of your mature peppers (and an immature one) and REEEEEALLY think about how you know you know. Teaching is totally different than doing, and it's hard! You do so many things automatically when you're an expert in something, but teaching is totally unnatural (and never automatic because the person you're trying to teach will vary every time). Take about 50 steps back, and you can figure out how to impart your wisdom on your friend :)

1. I like Jay's way best. Pick it when you're hungry.
2. If it gets a small spot from sunscald.
3. If it's the right size.
4. If it's the right color.
5. If the vine has too much fruit load or is pushing the plant stems apart as it grows. Sometimes they get lodged between stems, or between other peppers.

This is for bell peppers.
6. Now, when I say this, you are going to say I am crazy, but if it is mature, the stem is different and you don't need to cut the stem because it will break off in your hand when you lift the pepper.

If you lift one and it doesn't break, then Rules 1-5 still apply or you can leave it another day or two on the vine.

I agree with all the previously mentioned methods and, like Carol, I have found that fully ripe sweet bell peppers practically full off in your hands when they are mature.

I think to a certain extent, learning to determine ripeness can be learned from reading or from discussing how to do it, but it must be refined by the old 'learning by doing' method.

I figured that the pepper experts at the GW Pepper Forum probably had a FAQ that covers this topic, so I went and found it and linked it below. It is full of useful info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pepper Forum FAQ

In the beginning of the season: As soon as I can't stand it any more! I simply MUST have fresh peppers!

In the height of the season: Whenever I dang well get around to it and can stand looking at the canner without wanting to fling it out of the window.

At the end of the season: Whenever I let the animals into the garden to clean up because I don't ever want to look at another pepper again.

Diane

thanks all!!!