August is prime time for harvesting homegrown vegetables. Of course, timing depends on the variety, when it was planted, weather conditions and other factors, but generally vegetable gardeners are reaping the benefits of their good planning and ongoing care at this time of year.
The Home Garden Seed Association offers these tips on how to know when to harvest vegetables at the peak of their flavour.
Green beans
Pick before seeds form noticeable lumps in the pods. If left on the vines too long, the beans become stringy and tough.
Beets
When their shoulders begin to emerge from the ground, they’re ready. If left in the ground too long, especially in hot weather, their texture will suffer.
Chard and kale
Harvest baby leaves for salads. For older plants, cut the outer leaves regularly until frost or even later. Make sure not to damage the growing tips of plants when harvesting leaves.
Cucumbers
Pick when green and firm. Big cucumbers become bitter as seeds mature.
Eggplants
Harvest when skin is smooth and glossy, regardless of the colour or size of the variety. Left too long on the plant, eggplants become bitter and develop tough skins.
Peppers
These have the most flavour when they turn red, orange or yellow, depending on whatever their mature colour is intended, although you can always pick them green if this is what you prefer. Clip off the fruits to avoid damaging plants.
Melons
Watermelons turn dull when ripe and the tendril closest to the fruit shrivels. The colour of the netting on cantaloupes goes from green to tan. Honeydews develop a yellow blush.
Summer squash
Zucchini is tender when no longer than 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). Patty pan squash is best at 3 inches (8 cm) or less.
Winter squash
Best when the rind is hard and no longer shiny. Cut squash from the vine, leaving a short handle, and cure it in a warm spot for 10 days before storing it cool and dry.
Tomatoes
Generally, fruit should be fully coloured and slightly soft when gently squeezed. Exceptions are large heirlooms and cherry tomatoes, both prone to cracking. Pick these before they’re completely ripe and leave them on the counter to finish ripening.
Heather says
March 11, 2017 at 2:49 pmSo very glad I accidently became introduced to GARDENMAKING and subscribed. Still enjoy receiving a magazine I can sit down and relax to read. I am a member of the St. Margaret’s Bay Gardening Club, in Tantallon, Nova Scotia and have learned so much from great guest speakers, one of whom, Ian Jack, featured in the current magazine will be our presenter Wednesday, March 15th, and so many knowledgeable members over the years.
Debbie Rimnyak says
August 29, 2016 at 8:52 amEvery year my zucchini plants die. I’ll get 2-3 zucchini and then it dies.
Not sure if it is blight but the stem at the ground level doesn’t look healthy. I water with a soaker hose?
Elaine says
August 31, 2016 at 8:32 pmIt might be the Squash Vine Borer. They bore right inside the stems which can cause a total collapse of the plant.