HelpfulGardener.com

What to do with my sweet pepper Plants and fruits? We have an overnight forecast of 3C (abt 37/38F) but we often get a degree or two cooler than predicted. Light frost can't be far away. Some peppers are still green, some beginning to turn. Should I harvest them all now or if I leave them on the plants will they continue to ripen?

I hope to overwinter a few plants, dormant indoors. How much cold will they suffer outside before dying? I want to leave them out as long as possible for the fruit to ripen.

Sorry I didn’t see your post until now — this could be close — they really should be protected if they are left in the ground. It’s typical that you are expecting warmer temps after this cold.

Pepper fruits that are frost damaged will deteriorate and this kind of temperature may trigger dormancy— wilted leaves that won’t recover.

I would consider throwing a garden blanket (or old bedsheet) over them and then plastic.

Individual plants could be protected with a pillow case and a large trash bag over the plant… or large box or trash can, etc.

I didn’t see your post until now. In the past I covered plants up every night with tarps I could keep plants alive until the first hard freeze about 1 month sometimes 2 months. I am too lazy these days to cover plants. I pick all the peppers then slice pepper & put them in the freezer bags they are good to cook with all winter.