You can pick tomatoes as soon as they start showing their first blush of color, but the sweet spot for the best flavor is when they’re about 30 to 50 percent ripe on the vine.   That’s the quick answer to how early you can pick tomatoes without sacrificing taste. … Read more

You can tell when tomatillos are ready to pick by watching for the papery husk to split open, revealing a firm, fully colored fruit that has filled out its shell. That’s the easiest sign, but there are a few other clues that help you know when tomatillos are ready to … Read more

You can tell when to pick pears by checking for a few simple signs, mainly a slight softness near the stem and a color change that signals the pear is mature. Pears are one of those unique fruits that don’t ripen fully on the tree, so knowing when to pick … Read more

You pick tomatoes off the vine by grasping the fruit gently and using a twisting or snapping motion at the joint where the stem meets the branch.   This method is the most effective way to pick tomatoes off the vine without damaging the plant or bruising the fruit.   … Read more

You pick a tomato when it’s fully ripe on the vine for the best flavor, but you can also pick a tomato slightly early and let it finish ripening indoors.   The truth is, how you pick a tomato depends on what you’re planning to do with it and how … Read more

You know when zucchinis are ready to pick by checking for a few clear signs, mainly size, color, and firmness. The most reliable indicator is that the zucchini has reached about six to eight inches in length, which is the sweet spot for flavor and texture. You also know when … Read more

You know tomatoes are ripe when they’ve reached their full color, yield slightly to gentle pressure, and release a sweet, earthy aroma from the stem end. It’s a simple question but one that trips up both new gardeners and seasoned cooks who’ve been burned by mealy, tasteless fruit. If you’re … Read more

You know when to stop picking asparagus when the spears start to get thin and spindly, typically around 6 to 8 weeks after the initial harvest begins. This is the clearest signal that the plant needs to focus its energy on building up its crown for next year’s crop instead … Read more

You know when to pick your watermelons by checking for a few key signs, and the most reliable one is the ground spot.   That creamy yellow patch where the melon rests on the soil is the single best indicator that your watermelon is ready to harvest.   While thumping, … Read more

You know when to pick your sweet potatoes by watching the calendar, the leaves, and the soil, because timing is everything for the best flavor and storage life.   If you’ve been wondering how do you know when to pick your sweet potatoes, the short answer is that they’re usually … Read more