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Summer garden: Harvesting for maximum yield

Continuously picking crops like squash, beans, and tomatoes before their seeds fully mature signals the plant to produce a larger, ongoing yield throughout the season.

Photo: Markus Spiske.

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For many, the goal of summer gardening is the glorious harvest. But harvesting is more than just picking ripe fruit; it's an ongoing practice that actively encourages your plants to produce even more. This concept is known as a "perpetual harvest" and is key to maximising your yields.

Many summer crops are driven by a singular biological mission: to reproduce through seeds. By continuously harvesting the vegetable or fruit before the plant has a chance to fully mature its seeds, you trick it into producing more flowers and, therefore, more fruit. This is most dramatically seen in classic summer crops.

Tomatoes and Peppers:

Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored but still firm, using clean pruning shears to snip the stem. For peppers, picking them, even when green, signals the plant to set more fruit. Waiting for a red bell pepper is rewarding, but it slows the total pepper count.

Cucumbers and Zucchini:

These are the most critical crops for perpetual picking. If a zucchini or cucumber is left on the vine to swell and turn yellow (i.e., mature its seeds), the plant will dramatically slow or stop production altogether. Pick cucumbers when they are crisp and uniform, and harvest zucchini when they are small (6-8 inches) and tender. Check these plants daily—they grow quickly!

Beans and Peas:

Like the squash family, once the pod begins to swell with mature seeds, the plant’s reproductive cycle is nearing its end. Pick string beans when the pods are slender and snap cleanly. Continuous picking encourages new flower development and a steady supply that can last for weeks.

Herbs and Flowers:

This technique, often called "cutting" or "deadheading," works wonders for ornamentals and culinary herbs. Pinching back basil, mint, and oregano stems will force the plants to bush out, providing a continuous supply of fresh leaves. For flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and petunias, deadheading (removing spent blooms) prevents the plant from setting seed, ensuring it dedicates its energy to creating new, vibrant flowers all season long.

Make your harvest a meditative, daily ritual. Carry a basket and pruners, and walk through your garden, observing. Not only will you ensure maximum yield, but you’ll also catch any early signs of pests or disease. A little bit of picking every day leads to a bounty that lasts all summer long.