Vegetable Days to Maturity Size Color Comment
BEET
50-70 2-3″ in diameter red (varies) Up to 1/3 of foliage can be harvested when plant is young for greens without damaging root.
BROCCOLI
50-60 6-7″ across blue green Harvest before yellow flower buds start to open, side shoots can be harvested after main head is removed.
CABBAGE
60-90 varies with cultivar green,red,varies Harvest when heads are large and solid.
CARROT
60-80 3/4 – 1″ in diameter orange, white, yellow, purple Harvest when shoulder pushes through the soil.
CAULIFLOWER
55-80 6-8″ across creamy white Blanch heads when 2-3″ across by carefully tying leaves over heads.
CUCUMBER (pickling)
55-65 2 – 4″ long dark green Harvest plants every 2 to 3 days, leave small piece of stem attached to fruit.
CUCUMBER (slicing)
55-65 6 – 8″ long dark green 1 to 2″ diameter, harvest plants every 2 to 3 days
EGGPLANT
75-90 varies with cultivar purple,white,green Fruit should have shiny finish, about 4-6 in in diameter.
GARLIC
90 2 – 3″ dark green Harvest when foliage topples over and dries or just before first frost.
KOHLRABI
55-70 2-3″ in diameter green Store with leaves and roots removed.
LETTUCE (leaf)
45-60 4 – 6″ long dark green Harvest (cut) young outer leaves at any age leaving inner whorl for continued harvest, or shear off the entire leaf mass an inch or so above the crown of the plant. The plant will continue to grow. Hot weather causes bitterness, and the plant to bolt – flower and go to seed.
MUSKMELON CANTALOUPE
75-100 5-10″ in diameter yellow-tan between netting When mature, stem separates easily from melon.
OKRA
50-65 3″ long bright green Harvest frequently to maintain productivity, (4-6 days after flower wilts)
ONION
100- 120;90-100 varies with cultivar white, yellow,red Harvest when tops fall over and begin to dry. Dig bulbs and dry for several days. Cut off tops and roots and store in a cool, dry place.
PARSNIP
110-130 8-18″ long white,cream Can be overwintered in the ground, mulch and dig before new growth starts in spring.
PEAS
(snow/sugar)
55-85 3″ long pods bright green Harvest when pods are long and thin, just as the seeds begin to develop.
PEAS
(snap)
55-85 3″ long pods bright green Pick when seeds are nearly full size.
PEAS
(garden/shell)
55-85 3″ long pods bright green Harvest when peas are full size.
PEPPERS (hot)
60-90 1-3″ long red,purple,
yellow,green
Use gloves when harvesting.
PEPPERS (sweet)
70-90 2-4″ long green,red,yellow, purple,orange Usually harvested when green, but can be left on plant until red, orange, yellow or purple.
POTATO
90-120 varies with cultivar varies with cultivar Dig when tops turn brown and die. Dust off the soil, but do not wash until ready to cook.
PUMPKIN
85-120 varies with cultivar orange Harvest when uniformly orange, leave 3-4 of stem.
RADISH (spring)
25-40 1/2-2″ in diameter red,white,varies Radishes larger than 2 in diameter are often pithy and unusable.
RADISH (winter)
45-70 6-12″ long white,varies Can be left in the ground until frost.
SNAP BEAN
(green bean)
50-70 4-6″ long green,yellow, purple Harvest when pods are pencil size in thickness, before seeds inside swell pod.
SPINACH
45-60 6-8″ tall green Harvest the entire crop when plants begin to show signs of bolting. Can harvest older leaves to allow new growth when plants are young.
SUMMER SQUASH (scallop)
50-60 3-5″ diameter yellow,green Harvest when skin is soft.
SUMMER SQUASH (zucchini)
50-60 6-12″ long green,yellow Harvest every 2 to 3 days when fruit are 2 in diameter.
SWEET CORN
70-105 5-10″ (ears), varies yellow,white,bi-color Mature kernels exude milky sap when punctured.
SWEET POTATO
100-125 varies with cultivar gold,orange Harvest just before or after a vine killing frost.
TOMATO
70-90 varies with cultivar red,orange,yellow Harvest fully ripe for best flavor.
TURNIP
45-70 2-3″ diameter white, reddish purple Foliage can be harvested for greens.
WATERMELON
80-100 varies with cultivar light to dark green, striped Harvest when ‘belly’ turns from white to creamy yellow.
WINTER SQUASH
85-120 varies with cultivar varies with cultivar Rind should be hard and difficult to puncture with fingernail.
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