It seems second nature to some, but to those new to gardening how to tell if fruits or veggies are ripe and ready to pick can be confusing. Do not use size to choose when to pick---as most of us are conditioned to the size and color of supermarket produce---which is not a good measure to use. Most home grown or local produce will be a bit smaller, more colorful and a bit less uniform in appearance than the supermarket equivalent.
Use your sense of sight, touch, smell and taste to determine when (and what) to pick. Gently feel the fruit or produce to know if it is soft and slightly yielding, or still just a bit firm. When in doubt, always take a taste test to see if your other senses need some fine tuning. Fresh locally grown fruit and produce--if safely grown (without herbicides, pesticides, OR poisons in the soil to kill weeds)---are noticeably more nutritious and delicious. They are worth the effort and cost involved for your health and enjoyment! Be sure to ask your farmer (or grocery retailer) if they use pesticides, herbicides or poisonous weed killers. With a little time you will know exactly when everything is at it's peaking flavor. Once you have experienced the magic of a ripening from your garden or a U-pick crop, you will never forget the sights, smells, and taste!! Your body will thank you, and health will follow.
It's usually best to pick on a dry and cool morning, as the evening's growth is completed and flavor is at the day's best. Cool dry evenings are also a good time to pick. Enjoy planning some scrumptious meals, healthy drinks, and preserving possibilities for next Winter.
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