Fruit Harvesting Time

Guidelines for maintaining a productive and healthy garden through late summer and fall:

Flower Care

• Plant impatiens for instant color in shady areas; they will bloom continuously through fall.
• Sow lettuce seeds now for a fall crop or transplant seedlings.
• Set out broccoli and cabbage plants.
• Maintain roses by feeding, watering, weeding, mulching, and removing faded blooms regularly.
• Monitor roses for signs of insect or disease problems and spray if necessary.
• Fertilize rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias with a bloom-specific fertilizer to encourage next spring’s flowers.
• Trim wisteria trees throughout summer to maintain shape by cutting back long tendrils.

Fruit Harvesting Guidelines

Harvest fruits at the proper stage of maturity to maintain nutrients, quality, and freshness. Harvest early in the day when possible and handle fruit gently to avoid bruising.

• Apples and Pears:
  • Only apples and pears are suitable for long-term storage; some varieties store better than others.
  • Harvest apples when they begin to change color; sample fruit to check for characteristic flavor and smell.
  • Yellow or golden apple varieties change to a golden surface color when ripening.
  • Some apple varieties release easily from the tree as they ripen and should be picked immediately; others mature over a longer season and should be picked as they ripen.
  • Apples continue to ripen after picking; separate varieties in storage as some store for several months and others for less time.
  • Pears must be picked before they are tree-ripe; harvest when flavor and aroma are detectable.
  • If harvested too soon, pears will have poor flavor and shrivel; if harvested too late, they may rot at the core.
  • Pears continue to ripen after picking and can be stored for one to three months.
• Cherries:
  • Pick cherries when the fruit is juicy, soft, and full-flavored; they hold best quality if picked with stems on.
  • Cool cherries immediately after harvesting; they will store for up to two weeks.
• Peaches:
  • Taste-test peaches for ripeness; fruit softens and becomes juicy as it ripens.
  • Peaches are likely ripe when easily pulled from twigs but will not ripen further after picking.
  • If picked too soon, peaches will never develop sweetness or full flavor.
  • Handle carefully to avoid bruising and cool immediately after harvesting.
• Plums:
  • Plums soften and develop flavor as they ripen; color is not a reliable ripeness indicator, so sample fruit to decide when to pick.
  • Handle gently and cool after harvesting; plums continue to ripen after picking and can be stored for one to two weeks.
• Asian Pears:
  • Check Asian pear trees weekly until fruit begins to change color.
  • Harvest green varieties when they turn yellow; harvest yellow varieties when they turn brown.
  • Fruit should feel slightly soft when pressed; taste to confirm sweetness and juiciness.
  • Wait until pears are fully ripe before picking.