Harvest spinach when the leaves are tender and big enough to eat. Spinach is ready for picking 40 to 65 days after sowing. When to Harvest Spinach Harvest spinach as close to mealtime as possible for the best flavor. Spinach grows best between 60° and 65°F (15°-18°C)—commonly during spring or autumn. Plants commonly flower (bolt) […] More
Cauliflower is ready to harvest 70 to 90 days after sowing seed. Plant cauliflower so it comes to harvest in a cool part of the year; the optimal growing temperatures for cauliflower are the mid 60°sF (15°+C). Plant cauliflower in early spring for harvest before summer heat or plant in late summer for fall harvest. […] More
Harvest broccoli when the heads are green and firm and before the florets have begun to open. Broccoli heads are clusters of flowers. The florets are ready for harvest 10 to 13 weeks after sowing and plants produce buds for 6 to 8 weeks. When to Harvest Broccoli Time broccoli planting so harvest happens in […] More
Harvest Brussels sprouts when they are ½ to 1¾ inches (1-4 cm) in diameter, green, and firm. Brussels sprouts are ready for harvest 90 to 110 days after sowing. When to Harvest Brussels Sprouts Start picking after the first frost and continue into early winter in cold-winter regions. Sprouts become sweeter and more flavorful after […] More
Harvest cabbage at any size after the head becomes firm and before it splits. Leave two to four wrapper leaves around the head to keep it from drying. Heading cabbage can be harvested when the head is about the size of a softball—5 inches (12 cm) or more across, squeeze it to test firmness. Elongated […] More
Harvest beets when root tops are 1 to 1½ inches in diameter but not more than 3 inches in diameter. Beets that are allowed to get much bigger than 3 inches (7 cm) across often become tough and fibrous. When to Harvest Beets Beets mature 45 to 60 days after sowing. Beets are cool-season plants […] More
Harvest all types of lettuce almost any time during growth. Lettuce will be ready to harvest about 45 to 60 days after planting, longer if planted in autumn or winter. When to Harvest Lettuce Lettuce grows best and tastes sweetest when harvested in cool weather. When the weather gets too warm–daytime temperatures greater than 75°F/24°C […] More
Harvest artichokes when the buds are tight and firm and about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter. Harvest buds before the petals begin to open. If you wait until the bud opens, the petals will no longer be tender. When to Harvest Artichokes Artichoke plants live for about 5 years. Production starts about a year […] More
Tomatillos are ready to harvest when the papery husk surrounding the fruit turns from green to tan and begins to split. Tomatillos are ready to harvest 75 to 100 days after sowing, 65 to 85 days from transplanting. When to Harvest Tomatillos Tomatillos are ready to harvest when the papery husk surrounding the fruit turns […] More
Collard leaves are ready for harvest as soon as they reach usable size. They will be most tasty when picked young–less than 10 inches long and dark green. Older leaves will be tough and stringy. Collard greens are ready for harvest 75 to 85 days from transplants, 85 to 95 days from seed. When to […] More
Harvest Jerusalem artichokes when they are big enough to eat, about 130 days after planting. Tubers of Jerusalem artichokes—also called sunchokes–can be left in the ground past several frosts. They will be sweeter than those lifted sooner. When to Harvest Jerusalem Artichokes Harvest Jerusalem artichoke tubers from late summer onward about 13o days after planting. […] More
Harvest leeks when they are big enough to use. Most leeks mature 100 to 120 days after sowing seed, but a few varieties mature in as few as 60 days. Some varieties mature at ½ to ¾ inches in diameter; others can grow to 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more in diameter. When to Harvest […] More
Steve Albert