Harvesting Tips for Greater Productivity
Increase your harvest and flavor without adding more space to the garden.
Pick leaf lettuce when the outer leaves are 4 to 6 inches. The plant will keep producing. Place your harvest in a bucket of water to keep it fresh. Use the same technique with Swiss chard. Harvest just the outer leaves when 8 to 10 inches. The plant will keep producing and looking good all season long.
Remove just the full size firm head of cabbage. Leave the lowest leaves and stem intact. Several smaller heads will develop. That’s a lot of cabbage from one plant.
Remove just the main head of broccoli when the flowerbuds are tight and bright blue-green. Then harvest the smaller side shoots that continue to develop on the plant.
Harvest eggplant when the fruit are full size, skin glossy. Gently press and release. If just a small indentation remains, it is ready to harvest.
A bit more information: Produce a creamy white head of cauliflower with blanching and proper harvesting. Cover the head of cauliflower when it is the size of a quarter. Leaves of self-blanching varieties will naturally do this. Loosely tie the leaves of other cauliflower varieties to cover the developing head, so it stays white and has a mild flavor. Check in 5 to 7 days and harvest when the head is full sized.
Related
Article
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens
Register here
March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information
March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program
Racine, WI
More information
March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Growing a Bountiful Harvest
Register here
April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
