Are you growing water chestnut in Maryland, but don’t know when the best time to harvest them is?

Harvesting water chestnut is not as easy as it seems.

Here’s why:

• Water Chestnut have a very short window when they can be harvested and still taste great.

So if you harvest them too early they may not be ready and taste bad. And if you harvest them too late they may become infected with mold, fungus, insects, etc., and become inedible.

Today, I’m going to teach you the ideal time to harvest water chestnut in Maryland:

• To Learn More About HOW to Grow Water Chestnut, Check Out This GUIDE!

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When Do I Harvest Water Chestnut in Maryland?

As you may have already guessed, there are two main factors that determine when you should harvest your water chestnut: the physical features of the water chestnut & weather (time).

Harvest Water Chestnut if They Look Like This!!!

The physical features of water chestnut are what most gardeners commonly rely on to determine if they are ready to be picked off the plant or not.

In general, you should harvest water chestnut if they have the following physical features:

• The entire water chestnut is a solid red color. If the water chestnut is a lighter shade of red, it is not ready to be harvested
• The water chestnut is slightly soft. Too hard means it is not ready. Too soft means it is overripe (but still edible)
• Easily able to be deattached from the the plant. This means it has absorbed all the nutrients it needs and is ready.

Harvest Your Water Chestnut During THIS Time of Year!!!

In general, you should harvest water chestnut:

• 65 to 85 days after starting water chestnut from seed
• 40 to 50 days after planting water chestnut in your garden
• 20 to 30 days after water chestnut first appear

And no matter what, you should ALWAYS harvest your water chestnut before the first frost of the year. Frost will immediately kill your water chestnut plant and make your water chestnut inedible.

For your reference, I have created this table for average frost dates for most major cities in Maryland. If your city is not listed below you can find its Last & First Frost Dates HERE.

Maryland Last & First Frost Dates

It should be noted that you should not overly rely on the first frost of the year. The average first frost of the year is only correct 30% of the time.

Instead, pay close attention to your local weather.

When you know a frost is coming you need to take action.

• If water chestnut are in pots, bring them inside
• If water chestnut are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive
• Pick all water chestnut. If they are not ready, place them in a brown paper bag and store them for approximately 1 to 2 weeks to see if they become edible.

If you want to learn WHEN to harvest ANY Vegetable in Maryland, head over to HERE and just type in the vegetable you want to grow.