It's All About Nutrition!

Picking (harvesting) Cucumbers

You can start picking cucumbers several days after the firstfruit mature and then generally for a 3-4 week period depending on the variety. Harvest cucumbers that are 4 to 6 inches long and dark green in color. Larger cucumbers tend to be seedy and can often be bitter. You should pick cucumbers every 2 to 3 days for optimum maturity making sure not to damage the vines when. Hold the vine with one hand while pulling the fruit off with the other, or use pruning shears. Wash cucumbers and refrigerate (at about 50º to 55ºF) to keep fresh.

h4>Incoming search terms for this post:

• should i refrigerate cucumber after pickingBeing a return visitor it would be helpful if you would leave a thoughtful comment below...Thanks, Jeanne

Picking (harvesting) Sweet Corn

The ears of sweet corn can be expected to mature about 3 to 4 weeks after the first silk appears on the small ear of the plant. The ear is most often ready for picking when the silk on the top has turned brown and died back. Another method of determining if the ear is mature is by wrapping a hand around the ear and squeezing to feel for kernels. You can also try peeling back the leaves of the ear to inspect for mature kernals just keep in mind that the ear may be damaged if not mature. Do not husk the corn until it is ready to be cooked. This prevents kernels from being damaged and reduces moisture loss. Ears can be cooled down with cold water and refrigerated to maintain freshness. Corn is best eaten or frozen the day of harvest.

h4>Incoming search terms for this post:

• harvesting sweet corn
• picking corn
• corn dead silk small ears
• corn picking exercise

Picking (harvesting) Tomatoes

Tomatoes are interesting because they can be harvested at both the green mature or ripe stages. The green mature stage is when the seeds inside are fully formed, but the flesh remains green. You will know that ripening has begun when a pink color starts to show at the flower end of the tomato. If tomatoes are to be kept for a long period of time or need to be shipped they should be harvested at the pink stage. The proper way to pick a tomato is to grasp the tomato fruit as close to the branch as possible and twist it away from the plant. Remove the attached stem from the fruit after picking to prevent stem punctures when several tomatoes are placed in the same container. Stems can cause wounds that can quickly rot the fruit. If tomatoes are to be used shortly after harvest, they can be vine ripened to a full red color which provides excellent flavor. Tomatoes should not be wet and never refrigerated. Make sure to store at temperatures above 50ºF.

Picking (harvesting) Spinach

Depending on your desired leaf-size and tenderness spinach can be harvested at any stage. Many of the different spinach varieties will be ready for you to harvest anywhere between 40 to 50 days after seeding. The smaller the plants the more tender they will be. It is very important to make sure to harvest spinach before the plant starts to bolt or make a flower shoot.

Spinach can easily be harvested two or three times if only the leaves are cut. This will force new leaves to form from the center or the plant. Cutting the outside leaves about half way down the stem is the best method. If the entire plant is cut at the soil level, new leaves will not form. You should only cut spinach when dry and then immediately refrigerate in an airtight container or plastic bag to preserve freshness. Do not store spinach wet or it will quickly deteriorate.

h4>Incoming search terms for this post:

• harvesting spinach
• picking spinach
• when to harvest spinach
• Spinach picking
• spinach harvesting
• harvesting spinach leaves
• picking spinach from garden
• harvesting spinich
• picking spinich
• harvestingspinach
• harvest spinach
• picture of spinach bolting
• harvesting spenich
• spinach - when is it ready to harvest
• how to harvest spinach
• harvesting flowering spinach
• spinach bolt harvest
• spinach harvesting bolt
• when do I harvest spinach with pictures
• spinach bolt how to harvest
• images when to pick spinach
• harvest spinach bolt
• harvest spinach leaf size
• harvest spinach pointed leaves
• harvesting apinach
• harvesting spinach after its bolted
• harvesting spinach flowering
• how spinach is harvested
• flowering spinach?
• how to harvest spinich from garden

Picking (harvesting) Carrots

Because all sizes of carrots are edible they can be harvested over a long period of time. One of the main benefits of growing carrots is that they will remain fresh in the soil for many months, even after the tops have been killed by frost. If your garden soil is well drained you can keep carrots in the ground and covered with leaves or straw until the soil begins to freeze.

Picking a small amount of carrots for a family meal can be done with a small hand trowel being careful to stay far enough away from the plant as to avoid damaging the carrot itself. Harvesting carrots on a larger scale can be done by using a pitchfork or shovel and dig alongside the row. Be careful not to stab or cut the roots of the carrot. Pull the tops up and shake the soil off the roots. Storing carrots is easily done and if done properly they will stay fresh up to 3 to 4 months. Simply wash off all excess soil and place them in airtight containers or plastic bags

h4>Incoming search terms for this post:

• harvesting carrots
• picking carrots
• carrot picking
• how to harvest carrots
• hrvesting carrots
• picking and growing carrots
• picking carrots by hand