When to Harvest for the Best Produce!

Daylight Savings marks the end of the gardening season, and your last task is to harvest your garden. There are a few different types of crops to harvest this time of year, each with their own conditions. Here are some tips for perfecting your harvest timing!

Perennial Crops

These crops are planted in the spring and grow through October. They are typically planted in a field or large garden, since they take up more space than other garden plants. Common perennials include apples, pears, grapes, raspberries and strawberries. Since these crops cannot survive frost, they should be the first plants harvested in October, well in advance of the first frost.

Warm Weather Crops

These are planted early in the summer and produce all the way through October. It is important to harvest them before the first frost to prevent them from being killed by the frigid temperatures. The most common warm weather crops include beans, peppers, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. You can use these beans to make some warm soup to enjoy during the winter months!

Harvest Your Herbs

Herbs are planted in early spring. The best part about them is that you can pot them and bring them inside for the winter season to increase their yield. Herbs are a common garden plant because they are easy to take care of and have a long lifespan, producing lots of herbs. These plants can grow through October with ease, and even survive through early November outdoors!

Cold Weather Crops  

These crops are the last plants you need to harvest, capable of surviving until the first snow. They are planted in early fall and thrive in cooler temperatures. Some common cold weather crops are carrots, lettuce, spinach, kale and broccoli. These crops make great ingredients for salads and wraps!

With this information, you can harvest your crops at the perfect time to get the best quality produce. Whether you make soup, salads or wraps, you can put your produce to good use this winter!