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    Vegetables for Fall Harvest

    Harvest roots1

    Leafy greens, root vegetables, and members of the cabbage family are good fall harvest crops. These crops can be planted in mid- to late-summer for fall harvest. Fall harvest crops are generally cool-weather crops, the same ones commonly planted in late winter or early spring for late spring or early summer harvest. Where autumn weather […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Eggplant

    Eggplant Black Beauty

    Harvest eggplant young as soon as the skin becomes glossy. The flesh of young eggplant will be more tender and the seeds smaller. The plant will produce more fruit if kept picked. Related articles: When to harvest eggplant It is better to harvest eggplant just before it’s ripe than to wait too long. Kitchen Helpers […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Celery

    Celery Tendercrisp 1 1

    Celery is ready to harvest 85 to 120 days after transplanting depending on the variety. Celery is finicky and can be a challenge to grow. The optimal temperatures for growing celery are 65° to 75°F (18°-24°C) during the day and 60° to 65°F (15°-18°C) at night. Related articles: Temperatures must stay above 55°F during the […] More

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    Vegetable Harvest Times

    Edame soybean harvest 1

    Timing is everything when it comes to the home vegetable garden harvest. Once vegetables are picked they immediately begin to lose flavor, tenderness, and nutritional value. Harvest your crops as close to the time you plan to serve them, within an hour or less of serving time is best. How do you know when it […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Okra

    Okra pods on plant 1

    Harvest okra when pods are 1 to 4 inches long. Pods are ready for harvest about 60 days after sowing.  Okra, sometimes called gumbo, is a summer and fall crop. Okra flowers bloom for just one day and pods are ready for picking two or three days later. Related articles: When to harvest okra How to […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Artichokes

    Artichoke buds 1

    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 Related articles: How to harvest artichokes How to store artichokes Kitchen tips: […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Tomatillos

    Tomatillos

    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.  Related articles: When to harvest tomatillos Kitchen Helpers from Amazon: How to harvest tomatillos How to store […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Rhubarb

    Rhubarb stalks 1

    Rhubarb is one of the first crops of the year; the plant springs to life when temperatures rise into the 40sF; begin the rhubarb harvest as soon as stalks are ready. Related article: Stems harvested in early spring will be the most tender and flavorful. (Rhubarb is naturally tart and is commonly coupled with strawberries.) […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Watermelon

    Harvested watermelon

    Watermelons are usually ripe and ready for harvest when the underside turns from white to yellow and at least three tendrils on each side of the melon are dead. Harvest watermelons about 85 to 90 days after sowing seed, and 35 to 45 days after flowers appear. Related articles: When to harvest watermelon There are […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Parsnips

    Parsnip harvest

    Harvest parsnips in autumn and winter. Where the ground freezes hard in winter, harvest parsnips before they freeze. Where the ground does not freeze, parsnips can be harvested from the garden as needed. Parsnips overwintered should all be lifted before new growth begins in spring. Related articles: When to harvest parsnips Kitchen Helpers from Amazon: […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Endive and Escarole

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    Harvest endive and escarole when the leaves are large enough to eat. Endive and escarole mature 50 to 70 days after sowing but they can be harvested sooner. Endive is also called curly endive and frisee—it has frilly or ruffled leaves. Escarole is also called broad-leaved endive—it has smooth, broad leaves. Endive has a sharp […] More

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    How to Harvest and Store Potatoes

    Potato harvest

    Harvest potatoes young or mature. Mature, full-size potatoes are called maincrop potatoes. Maincrop potatoes are often cured and stored for later use. Maincrop potatoes are ready for harvest when most of the top foliage has withered Small, round, immature potatoes are often called “new potatoes.” New potatoes are usually eaten skin and all. New or […] More