Tips for Harvesting Summer Produce
Now that your garden is planted, whether in containers or raised beds, you’re just waiting for the fruits of your labor. But how can you tell when it’s time to start harvesting summer produce? Read these harvesting tips for five seasonal favorites – tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, melons and cucumbers.
Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes should be firm and uniform in color when ready to harvest. During hot weather, tomatoes soften quickly, so pick them often even if they are slightly immature. If a killing frost is predicted, go ahead and bring in the green tomatoes. Those that have started to lose their chlorophyll (light green or yellow in color) will ripen off the vine. Immature green tomatoes can be used for relish or chow-chow.