Harvesting Best Practices: Reaping What You Sow with Care and Joy

There's something deeply rewarding about harvesting—the culmination of all the effort you’ve poured into your garden. It’s like nature’s grand reward ceremony, complete with juicy tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and crisp greens. But harvesting isn’t just about picking your produce and eating it; it’s about doing so in a way that keeps your plants happy and productive. At From Scratch Farm, we practice thoughtful harvesting techniques that ensure our plants continue to thrive throughout the growing season.

In this blog, we’ll explore harvesting best practices, from when to harvest your crops to how to do it in a way that promotes ongoing growth. So, grab your basket, your shears, and let’s reap what we sow—together!

The Right Time to Harvest
Knowing when to harvest is key to getting the best flavor, nutrition, and yield from your garden. Timing your harvest correctly means sweeter tomatoes, crisper greens, and longer-lasting herbs.

1. Harvesting Vegetables
   Most vegetables are at their peak flavor when they’re young and tender. For example, beans should be picked when they’re firm but before the seeds inside begin to swell, while zucchini is best when it’s around 6-8 inches long—before it turns into a giant club. At From Scratch Farm, we always keep an eye on our crops, and there’s something magical about the anticipation of that perfect moment—when a pepper finally turns red or a cucumber is just the right size for crunching into.

2. Herbs and Greens
   Herbs are best harvested in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day causes the essential oils to dissipate. This is when their flavor is at its peak. Similarly, leafy greens like lettuce and spinach should be harvested when the leaves are young and tender for the best taste and texture.

3. Root Vegetables
   For root vegetables like carrots and beets, knowing when to harvest is often about size. Carrots can be picked when they’re finger-sized, or left longer for a bigger harvest. We love the surprise that comes with pulling up root vegetables—every harvest feels like uncovering buried treasure!

How to Harvest Properly
Harvesting is an art, and how you do it matters just as much as when you do it. At From Scratch Farm, we take care to harvest thoughtfully, ensuring our plants continue to produce throughout the season.

1. Use Sharp Tools
   Dull tools can damage plants and leave them more susceptible to disease. When harvesting vegetables like peppers, cucumbers, or herbs, we use sharp pruning shears to make a clean cut. This helps the plant heal quickly and keeps it healthy.

2. Harvest Regularly
   Regular harvesting encourages plants to produce more. For crops like beans, tomatoes, and zucchini, frequent picking ensures the plant continues to set new flowers and fruit. At From Scratch Farm, we call this “harvesting for abundance”—the more you pick, the more the plant gives. It’s a beautiful reminder that generosity, even in the garden, often leads to more rewards.

3. Harvest with Care
   When harvesting leafy greens, we’re careful not to take more than one-third of the plant at a time. This way, the plant can recover and continue to grow. With herbs like basil, we pinch off stems just above a leaf pair to encourage bushier growth and a larger harvest later on. Being gentle with your plants pays off—after all, they’re the stars of your garden show.

Harvesting Tips for Different Crops
Here are a few tips for getting the best harvest from some common backyard crops:

• Tomatoes: Harvest tomatoes when they’re fully colored but still firm. A gentle twist will often release the fruit from the vine without much effort. If it doesn’t come off easily, it might need another day or two to ripen.

• Peppers: Green bell peppers can be harvested as soon as they’re big enough, but leaving them on the plant allows them to turn red, yellow, or orange, depending on the variety. The longer they stay on the plant, the sweeter they become.

• Cucumbers: Harvest cucumbers when they’re about 6-8 inches long for slicers, or 2-4 inches for pickling cucumbers. Overgrown cucumbers can become bitter and seedy, so keeping a close eye on them is key.

From Scratch Farm’s Harvesting Practices
At From Scratch Farm, harvesting is a daily ritual during the growing season. It’s more than just a task—it’s a moment of connection with the plants that we’ve nurtured from seed to fruit. We like to think of harvesting as a dance—one where we move in harmony with the rhythms of the garden, taking what we need while encouraging more growth.

For our CSA program, we harvest early in the morning to ensure that everything is fresh and crisp for our members. Herbs are gathered just before being added to our farm-to-table catering dishes, ensuring the flavors are as vibrant as possible. By harvesting with intention and care, we ensure that our garden continues to produce an abundance of healthy, delicious food all season long.

Tips for a Fun and Whimsical Harvest
Harvesting doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be a fun and magical experience! Here are a few ways to add a bit of whimsy to your harvesting routine:

1. Harvest with Loved Ones
   Invite friends or family members to help you harvest. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable it can be to work together. Plus, sharing your garden’s bounty with others is a great way to celebrate your hard work.

2. Create a Harvest Basket
   Use a beautiful basket or a vintage colander to collect your produce. It may sound simple, but there’s something wonderfully satisfying about gathering your harvest in a lovely container that makes it feel extra special.

3. Taste as You Go
   Don’t be afraid to snack while you harvest! Picking a ripe cherry tomato and popping it into your mouth right there in the garden is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Taste-testing your crops is not only fun but also helps you determine the peak time to harvest.

Harvesting is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening—it’s the moment when all your hard work pays off and your garden gives back. By following harvesting best practices, you can ensure that your plants remain productive, your produce is at its best, and your garden stays healthy.

At From Scratch Farm, we approach harvesting as an ongoing conversation with our plants—listening to their needs, taking what’s ready, and encouraging them to keep giving. Harvesting isn’t just about taking; it’s about maintaining a relationship of care and respect with the natural world.

So, whether you’re plucking a few herbs for dinner, picking ripe tomatoes for a fresh salad, or pulling up carrots with a child by your side, remember to harvest with care, joy, and a little bit of whimsy. After all, gardening isn’t just about growing food—it’s about celebrating every step of the journey.