Congratulations! You’ve managed to successfully grow a healthy crop.
So, what comes next?
You might think it’s time to harvest, but you must carefully consider the harvest timing for each plant you grow.
This can seem daunting if you’re a beginner. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll end up with a perfect crop every single time.
Keep reading to learn all about harvest timing!
Harvest Timing: The Basics
Harvest timing is basically the degree of ripeness of your crop.
You might think you can harvest your entire homegrown produce at the same time, but that’s rarely the case.
Plants mature at different rates. This boils down to the climate, type of plant, and part of the plant being harvested.
Harvest timing can be easy to estimate in the cases where you can see the plant. That said, if you have subterranean crops or other concealed plants, it’s difficult to assess the best harvest time.
For this reason, you must always find all the information on your plants before planting them. This way, not only will you get the right harvest timing, but you’ll also know the best planting time, so you’ll get the perfect crop.
Note also that while seasoned green thumbs can get away with letting the plants grow at their own pace, you need to keep a close eye on your garden if you’re a beginner.
That’s because the harvest timing isn’t the only indication that it’s time to collect the crop. Instead, you need to ensure it’s in optimal condition and that there are no infected plants in the mix.
How to Appropriately Harvest Your Crop
Correct harvesting is just as important as picking the right harvest time. After all, you don’t want to wait patiently for your crop to mature, only to damage it during harvesting.
Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks that all beginners must know:
Start With a Sample
Harvesting your first crop is a big deal. Fortunately, you can take it one step at a time by only picking a sample and checking the ripeness.
This is a fool-proof way to ensure you get the best quality produce. You can also check on your plants about a week earlier to avoid spoilt crops.
Avoid Early Harvest
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is harvesting their produce way too early. While you should pick a sample and try it, you don’t want to harvest your entire garden.
Not only can early harvesting lead to lower crop quality, but it also results in less yield.
Be Gentle
Ripe produce bruises incredibly easily. Damaging your plant can also impact future yield. So when I say I treat my plants like babies, I mean it!
You should carefully grab your plant, ensuring a firm grasp and a clean snap. Use the right shears or knives for each plant, and avoid tugging at the plant at all costs.
Keep a Record
Lastly, you must become an expert on your plants. This involves keeping a record of everything planted on your farm, including the planting date, environmental factors, types of fertilizers used, and growth patterns.
Over time, your personal records will become invaluable, especially since harvest timing varies based on numerous environmental factors. Then, you’ll be able to refer to your findings whenever you need!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.