You know when to pick an avocado from the tree by checking its size, color, and feel, but the real trick is understanding that avocados ripen off the tree, not on it.   This is the most important thing to know about harvesting, because an avocado will never soften while … Read more

You know when to pick beetroot by checking its size, feeling the soil line, and watching the calendar.   The secret is that beetroot is ready to harvest when the bulb reaches about the size of a golf ball to a tennis ball, depending on your variety and taste preference. … Read more

You know when to pick black diamond watermelon by checking a few key signs rather than relying on the calendar alone. These melons don’t give you a simple date to mark on your garden planner, and they don’t all ripen at the exact same time each season. Instead, you have … Read more

You know when to pick a sugar baby watermelon by checking for a few key visual and physical clues.   Knowing when to pick a sugar baby watermelon can feel tricky because these melons don’t announce their ripeness with a loud signal.   But once you learn what to look … Read more

You know when to harvest tomatoes by checking their color, firmness, and how easily they detach from the vine.   If you’ve been staring at your tomato plants wondering when to harvest tomatoes for the perfect flavor, you’re in the right place.   Knowing when to harvest tomatoes isn’t just … Read more

You know sweet peas are ready to pick when the pods feel plump, round, and slightly firm to the touch.   That’s the simplest answer, but there’s more to it than just squeezing a few pods in the garden.   Knowing when to pick sweet peas can make the difference … Read more

You know sweet potatoes are ready to pick when the leaves start to yellow and the vines begin to wither.   That’s the classic signal that your sweet potatoes have reached maturity and are ready to pick from the garden.   But knowing when sweet potatoes are ready to pick … Read more

Strawberries are ready to be picked when they are fully red from top to bottom with no white or green shoulders.   Knowing when strawberries are ready to be picked isn’t complicated, but it does require you to pay attention to color, firmness, and taste rather than just size.   … Read more

You know squash is ready to be picked when the rind is firm to the touch, the skin has a deep, rich color, and the stem has started to harden and turn woody. But knowing when squash is ready to be picked isn’t always obvious, especially if you’re new to … Read more

You know spaghetti squash are ready to pick when their rind has turned a deep, golden yellow and feels very hard to the touch.   But many gardeners struggle with this exact question, wondering how to know when spaghetti squash are ready to pick without cutting them open too early. … Read more