Day 57 – Harvesting Tips!

Dear Gardeners,

Howdy! It’s your pal Hal E. Peño here, ready to talk about harvesting veggies the right way. Taking care when you harvest helps keep the garden healthy, happy, and full of tasty treats. Plus, each plant has its own special needs, so I’ve got some cool facts to share about my garden buddies:

🌱 Lettuce

• Lettuce loves to grow in cool weather, so it’s happiest in spring or fall.
• Harvest it while the leaves are young and tender for the crunchiest salads!
• When you pick lettuce, take the outer leaves first, and let the inner ones keep growing. This way, you can enjoy more lettuce for longer.

🌶️ Jalapeños (that’s me!)

• Jalapeños are ready to pick when they’re shiny and firm, usually dark green. But if you let us ripen, we’ll turn red and get a bit sweeter!
• Snip us off the plant gently with scissors to avoid damaging the stem.
• Fun fact: The spiciness of a jalapeño comes from capsaicin, found in the seeds and ribs inside the pepper!

🍅 Tomatoes

• Tomatoes grow best in warm, sunny spots, and they keep ripening after you pick them. If they’re slightly green, you can still harvest them and let them ripen indoors.
• Use scissors or your hands to twist tomatoes off gently—don’t yank, or you might hurt the plant.
• Store tomatoes on the counter, not in the fridge. Cold temps can make them lose their delicious flavor!

🌿 Cilantro

• Cilantro is ready to pick when it’s about 6 inches tall. Snip off the leaves you need, and the plant will keep growing!
• It’s best harvested in cooler weather since heat can make it bolt (that means it grows flowers and stops making leaves).
• Fun fact: Cilantro seeds are called coriander, and they’re used as a spice in cooking!

Here are my tips for a perfect harvest:

• Check if it’s ready: Each veggie has its moment to shine, so look closely to make sure it’s the right time to pick.
• Be gentle: No tugging or pulling too hard—treat the plants with care!
• Harvest in the morning: Veggies are crispiest and freshest early in the day.
• Store properly: Keep your veggies fresh by storing them the right way.

Thanks for being an awesome gardener and taking care of me and my plant pals! Together, we’ll grow something amazing.

Your friend,
Hal E. Peño 🌶️