A Guide to Harvesting & Storing Vegetables for all Seasons
Updated: Aug. 16, 2012
See our guide below for vital informaiton on harvesting and storing vegetables:
| Crop | Harvest time | Harvesting tips | Storage and cooking tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Spring | Leave uncut in the first year. In the second year, cut the spear just below the soil, using a sharp knife. | Cut ends off then stand in a small container of water in the fridge. Cover with plastic. |
| Beetroot | 10 weeks from sowing | Young beetroot has the best flavour, but the crop can be stored in the ground and harvested over many months. | The leaves can also be picked for salads. |
| Cabbage | Summer to autumn or 8-16 weeks from sowing | Harvest the entire plant when heads are firm and plump. | Can be sliced, blanched for 3-4 minutes and stored in the freezer. |
| Carrots | Year round | Pick continuously to spread the harvest. | Small young carrots have the best flavour. |
| Parsnips | 18-20 weeks after planting | Pick continuously to spread the harvest. Pull baby parsnips at 2-3 months or leave in the ground for up to 6 months. | Store out of the light for 1-2 weeks, or in the vegetable crisper for several weeks. |
| Potatoes | Spring | Pick after flowering, when the leaves start to turn yellow. | Store out of the light to prevent greening (the formation of alkaloids). |
| Pumpkin | Autumn | Harvest when the stems begin to wither and when the vine starts to die off. | Cure (harden the skin) in a warm spot, but store in a cool, dry space on a wire rack. |
| Sweet corn | Spring to autumn or 10 weeks after sowing | When the silks turn brown, the corn is ready to pick. | To maximise flavour, cook as soon as possible after picking. |
| Sweet potatoes | Autumn or 20 weeks after planting | Tubers are mature when the plants turn yellow. | Leave tubers in the sun to cure for a few days after digging up. |
| Tomatoes | Early summer to autumn (year round in warm climates) | For the best flavour, allow fruits to ripen on the vine. | In fruit fly zones, pick full-sized green tomatoes and ripen them inside the home to reduce pest damage. |
Originally Published: August 16, 2010
