Pick mature produce at its proper time and during the coolest period of the day, keeping in mind that it is often better to harvest a little before peak maturity and store produce in a cool, dry place until full maturity is reached. Once gathered, clean produce with freshly drawn water and allow it to dry quickly. Any and all equipment that is used in harvesting should be clean as well.

Avoid excessive handling as much as possible, being especially careful not to bruise softer produce like tomatoes. Some crop injury is unavoidable and damaged produce should be used first or removed altogether from storage before spoilage occurs. The healthiest produce should be stored in clean and well-ventilated containers that are kept in a cool, dry place until ready to use. If containers must be stacked, allow enough space between layers to prevent injury.

The following guidelines are generally used to determine the correct maturity stage for some common crops:

• Peas (annuals)
  Snow – before pod swelling
  Snap – pod setting through pod filling
  Shelled – uniform in color with full pods
• Radishes (annuals)
  Red or white top peeking through soil surface
• Broccoli and Cauliflower (annuals)
  Cut flowerets before seed setting
• Spinach and Lettuce (annuals)
  Desired leaf size before seed setting
• Lettuce and Cabbage (annuals)
  Firm heads
• Carrots, onions and parsnips (biennials)
  First season dead-head seed to promote root growth
  Second season dig before flowers shoot
• Sweet Corn (annuals)
  Firm husks with full, milky kernels
• Green Beans (annuals)
  Snap – before pod setting
  Beans – pod setting through pod filling
• Tomatoes (annuals)
  Firm with full color
• Peppers (annuals)
  Sweet – firm, desired size and color (longer season = sweeter pepper)
  Hot – firm, desired size and heat level (longer season = hotter pepper)
• Summer Squash (annuals)
  Green vines and tender skin
• Gourds, Pumpkins and Winter Squash (annuals)
  Dried vines and tough skin
• Potatoes (annuals)
  Early – small with thin skins right after flowering
  Later – dried vines for large with thick skins for storage
• Beets, Kohlrabi and Turnips (annuals)
  Less than a couple of inches around

For optimum flavor and long-term storage, avoid harvest delays and frost danger based upon plant hardiness zones and the growing season of specific crops – learn more by clicking here on Choosing Seed and Seedlings.