Hi There, Harvest Hero!

It’s me, Regan O.—your zesty oregano pal! All your hard work in the garden is paying off—it’s almost time to harvest your herbs! Knowing the perfect time and way to pick basil, oregano, parsley, and cilantro makes all the difference, so I’m here to give you the scoop on how to do it right. Let’s get harvesting!

🌿 Basil – The Sweet Superstar

• When to Harvest: Start picking basil when the plant is about 6-8 inches tall. Always take the largest leaves first and leave the smaller ones behind so the plant keeps growing.
• How to Harvest: Pinch or snip leaves just above a pair of leaves on the stem. This helps basil grow bushier and keeps the plant healthy. Regular harvesting makes basil even tastier!

🌱 Oregano – Your Zesty Buddy (That’s Me!)

• When to Harvest: Begin harvesting once I’m at least 4-6 inches tall. My flavor is strongest right before I start to flower.
• How to Harvest: Use scissors to snip sprigs of me, or pinch off the top few inches of each stem. Trimming encourages me to grow more leaves and keeps my taste fresh and vibrant.

🍃 Parsley – The Green Powerhouse

• When to Harvest: Wait until parsley is about 6-8 inches tall, then start picking from the outer leaves first. This way, the plant can keep growing from the center.
• How to Harvest: Snip the stems at the base, close to the soil. Harvesting regularly helps parsley stay productive and leafy.

🌿 Cilantro – The Quick Grower

• When to Harvest: Cilantro is ready when it’s about 4-6 inches tall. Harvest early and often before it starts to bolt (flower and go to seed).
• How to Harvest: Pinch or snip individual leaves or cut stems close to the base. Be gentle, and don’t take all the leaves at once—leave some so it can keep growing.

Extra Harvest Tips for Your Herb Garden:
✨ Morning Magic: Harvest in the morning when we’re at our freshest and most flavorful.
✨ Be Gentle: Use clean hands or scissors to avoid damaging us or spreading germs.
✨ Don’t Overdo It: Take a little at a time—leaving some leaves helps us keep growing and producing more deliciousness.

With your careful hands and green thumbs, we’ll be ready to take your recipes to the next level. Thanks for being such an awesome gardener, harvest hero—I can’t wait to see how tasty we’ll be in your kitchen creations!

Your Zesty Friend,
Regan O. 🌱