You know when crookneck squash is ready to pick by checking its size, color, and firmness, and the best time to harvest is when it’s between 4 and 6 inches long with a pale yellow to bright golden skin.   Picking crookneck squash at the right moment is the difference … Read more

You know delicata squash is ready to pick when it reaches full maturity, which is typically around 80 to 100 days after planting.   If you’ve been wondering how to know when delicata squash is ready to pick, the answer comes down to a few simple visual and tactile cues. … Read more

You know cucumbers are ready to be picked when they reach a certain size, color, and firmness that signals peak harvest time.   If you’ve been wondering how to know when cucumbers are ready to be picked, the answer comes down to a few simple visual and tactile clues that … Read more

You know cherry tomatoes are ready to pick when they’ve reached their full, mature color and easily slip off the vine with a gentle tug.   Knowing when to pick cherry tomatoes is all about watching for those telltale signs of ripeness, and it’s simpler than you might think.   … Read more

Knowing when a cantaloupe is ready to be picked is all about combining visual signs, touch, and scent.   You want to harvest cantaloupe at just the right moment because it won’t get sweeter after you pick it.   Unlike some fruits, cantaloupe doesn’t ripen much off the vine, so … Read more

You know buttercup squash is ready to pick when the vine starts to die back, the skin turns a deep green with no glossy shine, and the stem begins to crack and dry.   This is the sweet spot where the squash has reached full maturity and will store well … Read more

You know brussel sprouts are ready to pick when the little buds are firm, bright green, and measure about one to two inches in diameter.   Knowing when to pick brussel sprouts comes down to a few simple visual and tactile clues that any gardener can spot with a little … Read more

You know broccoli is ready to be picked when the heads are firm, dense, and the florets are still tight and deep green.   Getting the timing right on when to pick broccoli is one of the most important steps to enjoying a delicious, tender harvest from your garden.   … Read more

You know bell peppers are ready to pick when they reach their full mature size, feel firm and glossy, and have transitioned to their final color, whether that’s green, red, yellow, or orange.   If you’ve been watching your plants and wondering when bell peppers are ready to pick, the … Read more

You know when Bartlett pears are ready to pick by checking for a slight color change from bright green to a lighter yellow-green, and by testing if the pear gives a little when you gently press the neck just below the stem.   This isn’t about waiting for them to … Read more