Fruiting Vegetables

Tomatoes

  • Color fully developed (red, yellow, or variety-specific)
  • Slightly soft when gently squeezed
  • Should separate easily from stem
  • Harvest before splitting occurs
  • Pick when “shoulders” are no longer green

Peppers

  • Bell: Full size, firm, crisp walls
  • Hot: Color change complete for variety
  • Glossy skin appearance
  • Size appropriate for variety
  • Can harvest green or wait for final color

Cucumbers

  • Bright medium to dark green
  • 6-8 inches for slicing varieties
  • 2-4 inches for pickling
  • Firm and crisp texture
  • Harvest before yellowing begins

Zucchini/Summer Squash

  • 6-8 inches long
  • Still tender when pierced with fingernail
  • Glossy skin
  • Harvest before seeds develop
  • Pick every 2-3 days during peak

Root Vegetables

Carrots

  • Top of root 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter
  • Bright orange color (or variety-specific)
  • Pull test sample to check size
  • Tops firmly attached
  • Generally 70-80 days from planting

Potatoes

  • Plants have died back
  • Skin firmly set (doesn’t rub off)
  • Test dig to check size
  • Allow 2 weeks after vine death
  • Stop watering when vines die

Onions

  • Tops have fallen over naturally
  • Necks tight and dry
  • Bulb well-formed and firm
  • Skin developing papery texture
  • Pull when 2/3 of tops are down

Beets

  • 1.5 to 3 inches diameter
  • Shoulders protruding above soil
  • Deep color development
  • Tender when tested
  • Greens 4-6 inches long

Leafy Greens

Lettuce

  • Leaves crisp and full-sized
  • Head varieties firm when squeezed
  • Harvest before bolting begins
  • Cut outer leaves of leaf varieties
  • Morning harvest for best quality

Spinach

  • Leaves 4-6 inches long
  • Dark green color
  • Before stems elongate
  • Cut outer leaves for continued growth
  • Harvest before bolting starts

Kale

  • Leaves 8-10 inches long
  • Dark color fully developed
  • Still tender when tested
  • Before yellowing occurs
  • Cut outer leaves as needed

Swiss Chard

  • Leaves 8-12 inches long
  • Stems thick but still tender
  • Bright, crisp appearance
  • Cut outer leaves regularly
  • Before leaves become tough

Pod Vegetables

Green Beans

  • Pods full but still smooth
  • Snap easily when bent
  • Seeds small and underdeveloped
  • Bright green color
  • Before pods bulge

Peas

  • Pods fully developed
  • Seeds full size but still tender
  • Bright green color
  • Shell peas: pods plump
  • Snap peas: pods crisp

Cole Crops

Broccoli

  • Head full size but tight
  • Buds still green and compact
  • Before yellow flowers appear
  • Cut 6 inches below head
  • Harvest side shoots as they develop

Cauliflower

  • Head 6-8 inches diameter
  • Curds tight and compact
  • White/cream colored
  • Before separating begins
  • Cut just below head

Brussels Sprouts

  • Sprouts firm and compact
  • 1-1.5 inches diameter
  • Dark green color
  • Bottom sprouts first
  • Before yellowing occurs

Corn

  • Kernels full and milky
  • Silks dark and dry
  • Squeeze kernel test
  • About 20 days after silking
  • Early morning harvest best

General Harvesting Tips

Timing Considerations

  • Harvest in morning when cool
  • Pick regularly to encourage production
  • Check plants daily during peak season
  • Don’t harvest when wet
  • Use appropriate tools

Quality Indicators

  • Firmness
  • Color development
  • Size appropriate for variety
  • No disease or pest damage
  • Peak flavor development