Cucumbers are best picked green, firm, and moderate in size–as soon as they are edible and usable size. Home-grown cucumbers should be picked slightly smaller than the size you’d find at the market. Smaller cucumbers will be just as tasty as larger cucumbers. Related article: Cucumbers come to harvest quickly. Six to seven weeks after […] More
Harvest radicchio almost any time during growth—when leaves are just 2 to 3 inches (5-7 cm) long or after a head forms and is firm to the touch. Radicchio matures 60 to 64 days after sowing. Related articles: Radicchio will grow green or reddish-green until cold weather arrives then leaves will change to a range […] More
Harvest winter squashes when they are mature. Winter squash is mature when its rind cannot be scratched with a thumbnail. Winter squashes include Acorn, Butternut, Hubbard, Banana, Buttercup, Spaghetti, and pumpkins. Winter squash refers to squash planted in spring, grown in summer, harvested in fall, and stored for winter use. Winter squashes require more days […] 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. Related articles: When […] More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stephen Albert