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.
Summer Squash
Gather summer squash when they are young and tender, about 4 to 5 inches in length. Old, large fruits with tough skins should be removed from the vine and thrown away. This will encourage more flowers and fruit. Patty pan squash is ready at 3 to 4 inches in diameter with skin still soft enough to puncture. With the exception of Hubbard, squash should be cut with about 1 inch of the stem.