When to Harvest Vegetables, Herbs, Greens and more
Sept 20, 2018 7:48:56 GMT -5
clumsythumbs and Sher like this
Post by Shawn on Sept 20, 2018 7:48:56 GMT -5
When to Harvest Vegetables, Herbs, Greens and more
Source: The Old Farmer's Almanac
NOTE: While the following shows summer items for store or outdoor gardens, most apply for indoor also. So take a peek at the below and for Individual items, click on the Source above. It goes from A to Z.
How do you know when fruit and vegetables are ready to pick? Whether you are a gardener or a grocery shopper, this harvest guide will help you recognize when your summer fruit and vegetables are at the peak of flavor.
5 TIPS ON PICKING
Remember, bigger is not always better. Many vegetables taste best before they grow too big. For example, zucchini are best picked when they are 6 to 8 inches long. They’re still good later, but they have hit their peak ripeness and their flavor will start to deteriorate.
Not all fruit and vegetables are harvested the same way. For example, pears are picked when they are still hard! Watermelons must be fully developed before being picked. Tomatoes can ripen on or off the vine.
Be very gentle when you pick. For example, take care not to yank the fruit or vegetables. Stems and branches are easily broken. Use two hands to pick; hold the stem in one hand and pick with the other. If the crop is ripe but doesn’t easy pull by hand (such as eggplant), use pruning shears.
Once a crop starts producing, check the garden every day! Picking vegetables as soon as they are ripe often encourages the plant to produce much more! Otherwise, many vegetables will bolt and flower as they “think” they’re done. Pinch or cut back herbs frequently to keep them productive (and to keep them from flowering).
You can always preserve an overly-abundant harvest. For example, green beans can be blanched in boiling water for one minute, cooled in ice water, and frozen. Zucchini and squash can also be frozen or made into zucchini bread! See our tips on preserving your harvest.
Have more questions about specific crops? Click on this linked crops to go straight to the plant page with growing and harvesting tips!
Source: The Old Farmer's Almanac
NOTE: While the following shows summer items for store or outdoor gardens, most apply for indoor also. So take a peek at the below and for Individual items, click on the Source above. It goes from A to Z.
How do you know when fruit and vegetables are ready to pick? Whether you are a gardener or a grocery shopper, this harvest guide will help you recognize when your summer fruit and vegetables are at the peak of flavor.
5 TIPS ON PICKING
Remember, bigger is not always better. Many vegetables taste best before they grow too big. For example, zucchini are best picked when they are 6 to 8 inches long. They’re still good later, but they have hit their peak ripeness and their flavor will start to deteriorate.
Not all fruit and vegetables are harvested the same way. For example, pears are picked when they are still hard! Watermelons must be fully developed before being picked. Tomatoes can ripen on or off the vine.
Be very gentle when you pick. For example, take care not to yank the fruit or vegetables. Stems and branches are easily broken. Use two hands to pick; hold the stem in one hand and pick with the other. If the crop is ripe but doesn’t easy pull by hand (such as eggplant), use pruning shears.
Once a crop starts producing, check the garden every day! Picking vegetables as soon as they are ripe often encourages the plant to produce much more! Otherwise, many vegetables will bolt and flower as they “think” they’re done. Pinch or cut back herbs frequently to keep them productive (and to keep them from flowering).
You can always preserve an overly-abundant harvest. For example, green beans can be blanched in boiling water for one minute, cooled in ice water, and frozen. Zucchini and squash can also be frozen or made into zucchini bread! See our tips on preserving your harvest.
Have more questions about specific crops? Click on this linked crops to go straight to the plant page with growing and harvesting tips!
