you REAP what you SOW
This is the moment when you REAP the fruit of your LABOUR. It is the BEST and most satisfying part of growing your own food. You NEVER feel tired when it comes to HARVESTING.
HARVEST at the RIGHT time
Harvesting too early or too late will result to a lower yield. WHEN is the RIGHT time to HARVEST?
First we need to identify CLIMACTERIC fruits and vegetables from NON-climacteric. Climacteric fruits and vegetables are those that can ripen AFTER being picked. This will determine whether or not you can harvest early or not.
For example: you CAN pick tomatoes green when the skin is starting to turn orange, it will RIPEN eventually.
STORE and PRESERVE excess
Usually you will grow MORE than you can eat. Storing your fruits and vegetables right way will KEEP them FRESH and SAFE to eat.
STORING
leafy greens - rinsed, wrapped in a paper towel and refrigerated in a container or sealed plastic bag.
Tomatoes - For the best-tasting tomatoes, store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. This will help them ripen evenly. Once they are ripe they can be placed in the fridge.
FREEZING
Freezing vegetables help to preserve nutrients and enjoy all year long.
Most vegetables need to be blanched before they are frozen. After Blanching, make sure to IMMEDIATELY place in ice cold water to stop the cooking process.
KEEP the STRONGEST plant for SEEDS
Harvesting seed from the strongest plant is a CRUCIAL part for next season. Even if you have seeds from your previous pack, seed tend to expire after 1-2 years.
How to determine the STRONGEST plant?
It is often the one with the highest yield.