You should pick green beans when the pods are young, tender, and about the thickness of a pencil, before the seeds inside become too large and lumpy. Figuring out when and how to pick green beans is key because harvesting at the right moment means you get that crisp, sweet snap instead of a … Read more
You should pick basil leaves when the plant has at least three to four sets of true leaves, which usually happens about three to four weeks after planting. The absolute best time to harvest basil is in the morning, right after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too intense. If … Read more
What to look for when picking peaches comes down to a few simple sensory checks that anyone can master. When you’re picking peaches at the store or a farm stand, the right ones will reward you with juicy, sweet bites. But picking peaches that end up mealy or tasteless can ruin your whole … Read more
What to look for when picking out a watermelon comes down to a few simple, reliable tricks that anyone can master. When you’re picking out a watermelon, you don’t need to be a farmer or a produce expert to get a sweet, juicy one every time. The key to picking out a watermelon … Read more
When you pick mushrooms, the most important thing to look for is whether you can positively identify the species without any doubt. That’s the golden rule because foraging for mushrooms is incredibly rewarding, but it also carries serious risks if you mix up a safe variety with a toxic lookalike. What to look … Read more
You can ripen tomatoes once picked, and it’s actually a straightforward process that almost always works. If you’ve ever pulled green tomatoes off the vine before a frost or grabbed a few that just weren’t quite ready, you’ve probably wondered how to ripen tomatoes once picked without losing their flavor. The good news … Read more
What to do with onions when you pick them starts with understanding that curing is your first and most important job. What to do with onions when you pick them isn’t complicated, but doing it wrong can ruin your entire harvest. Once you know what to do with onions when you pick them, … Read more
You can ripen tomatoes after picking by moving them to a warm spot with indirect light, but the method you choose depends on how ripe they already are. Every gardener faces that moment when a sudden frost is coming, or maybe you just couldn’t resist grabbing a few slightly green tomatoes from the vine. The … Read more
You can pick up a dropped stitch in knitting by using a crochet hook to catch the loose loop and work it back up through the ladder of horizontal strands until it reaches your needle. It sounds trickier than it actually is, and once you learn this simple technique, you’ll save yourself from ripping … Read more
You know your pumpkin is ready to pick when the rind has hardened, the stem has begun to crack, and the color has reached a deep, uniform shade. Wondering how to know when your pumpkin is ready to pick is one of the most common questions for backyard gardeners, and the good news is … Read more