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HERE is the BEST Time to Harvest Plants (2023 Guide)

Are you growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers, but don’t know when the best time to harvest them is?

Harvesting vegetables, herbs, and flowers are not as easy as it seems.

Here’s why:

  • Plants 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 vegetables, herbs, and flowers:

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


When Do I Harvest Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers?

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

Harvest Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers if They Look Like This!!!

harvesting lettuce

The physical features of vegetables, herbs, and flowers 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 vegetables, herbs, and flowers if they have the following physical features:

  • The plant is of a solid color with no discoloration.
  • The plant is slightly soft. Too hard means it is not ready. Too soft means it is overripe (but still edible)
  • Easily able to be detached from the plant. This means it has absorbed all the nutrients it needs and is ready.

Harvest Your Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers During THIS Time of Year!!!

In general, you should harvest plants:

  • 65 to 85 days after starting vegetables, herbs, and flowers from seed
  • 40 to 50 days after planting vegetables, herbs, and flowers in your garden
  • 20 to 30 days after vegetables, herbs, and flowers first appear

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

For your reference, you can find the average first and last frost of most major cities HERE.

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 vegetables, herbs, and flowers are in pots, bring them inside
  • If vegetables, herbs, and flowers are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive
  • Pick all vegetables, lettuce, and flowers. 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 Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers, head over to HERE and just type in the vegetable you want to grow.

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