If you planted a garden this year, you'll likely have noticed that your efforts start to pay off in July as your plants produce fruits and vegetables.
But how do you know when is the best time to start harvesting sows?
“A lot of the time, it depends on the type of fruit, but you're going to be choosing based on color,” says Kyle Ferrick of Frank's Farm Market in Fairview. “With tomatoes, firmness is a big factor. If you're choosing peppers, look for ones that are dark in color and firm. If they seem bland, they're not ripe yet.”
The Old Farmer's Almanac offers tips and advice on how and when to harvest in your backyard vegetable garden.
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5 Helpful Harvest Time Tips from the Old Farmers Almanac
Early bird catches the worm: The Almanac recommends that early morning, just after the morning dew dries, is the best time to harvest. That's when you'll find the juiciest, most flavorful vegetables. Check your garden every day: Keep checking your garden after crop harvesting has stopped, as many crops, such as zucchini and beans, can grow quickly. The more you harvest crops, such as beans and cucumbers, the better the chances they'll grow again. Allowing plants, such as cucumbers, to grow too long can alter their reproductive period. Bigger isn't always better: This is a common mistake many people make. You're not trying to grow record-breaking beets or radishes for the state fair. Allowing crops to grow too long can alter their quality. Radishes, for example, can become a mass of indigestible fiber. Harvest with ease: Don't forcefully pull on your crops. Plants that grow on stems or branches can easily break and cause the plant to become diseased. When harvesting, always use two hands, such as holding the stem with one hand and picking with the other. If your harvest is ripe but difficult to pick, use scissors or a knife. Not all fruits and vegetables are the same. Not all fruits and vegetables can be harvested at the same time. Some take longer than others. Watermelons and pumpkins need to be fully developed before they can be harvested, while apples and peaches can ripen on or off the tree.
Harvest season is coming earlier than expected for some Erie-area farmers
Despite the extreme heat this summer in Erie, many local farmers are working ahead of schedule.
“I've talked to cherry and peach farmers and it seems like we're getting a warm, mild winter followed by a warm spring a little ahead of schedule,” Ferrick said. “As far as rain goes, it's been on and off. I remember yesterday I was at the market (5880 Sterrettania Road) and it rained all of a sudden, but three or four miles south of the farm we're just waiting for a drop of rain.”
Local farmers prefer warm, dry weather for their crops because they can add water whenever they want but can't remove it if it rains too much.
For farmers, excess rain can cause problems such as weeds and diseases.
“That being said, I would say produce is about seven to 10 days ahead of schedule given the weather we've had recently,” Ferrick said. “As far as fruit goes, some farmers are 10 days ahead of schedule, while others are in the middle of their season.”
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Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
