When Are Vegetables Ripe?

The tomatoes are ripe when the color is red.  The tomatoes are not ripe because they are small and green.  The onions are ripe when the stem is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. the onion is not ready because it is still growing.  Beans are ripe when the pod snaps easily and the tip is flexible.  We need more time for the beans to be ready.  Eggplants are ready when the fruit is half-grown; just before the color dulls.  We don't see any eggplants yet but we see flowers.  A pepper is ripe when firm and shiny.  The pepper is not ripe because it's too small.  Cauliflower is ripe before the rice texture discolors or blemishes.  There is no cauliflower in the garden yet.

The students found this information at Washington State University's Master Gardener Program webpage.