Harvest Timing

How to Harvest Rosemary

Snip rosemary sprigs the right way for year-round evergreen harvest

When Are Tomatoes Ready to Pick?

Judge tomato ripeness, days to maturity, and the first-harvest window for a location

When to Harvest Basil

Decide when to pick basil leaves and how to pinch for continued growth

When to Harvest Beets

Pull beets at the right root size for tender roots and edible greens

When to Harvest Broccoli

Cut the central head at the right stage and keep side shoots coming

When to Harvest Cabbage

Decide when a cabbage head is firm enough to cut and how to prevent splitting

When to Harvest Carrots

Decide when carrots have reached usable size and how to pull them

When to Harvest Cauliflower

Blanch and cut cauliflower while the curd is still compact

When to Harvest Cucumbers

Decide the right size and time to pick cucumbers

When to Harvest Garlic

Decide when fall-planted garlic is ready to lift, and how to cure and store it

When to Harvest Green Beans

Pick beans young and often to keep plants producing

When to Harvest Kale

Pick kale leaves at any stage — and know why frost makes them sweeter

When to Harvest Lettuce

Decide when and how to harvest lettuce, including cut-and-come-again

When to Harvest Peas

Decide when garden, snow, and snap peas are ready to pick

When to Harvest Peppers

Decide when peppers are ready to pick — green or fully colored

When to Harvest Potatoes

Decide when new potatoes and storage potatoes are ready to dig

When to Harvest Radishes

Pull spring radishes promptly before they crack or turn pithy

When to Harvest Spinach

Decide when to pick spinach leaves and when it has bolted

When to Harvest Strawberries

Decide when strawberries are fully ripe and how to pick them

When to Harvest Sweet Corn

Catch corn at the milky stage before sugars turn to starch

When to Pick Zucchini

Judge the right size to pick zucchini and how often to check plants