You know it’s time to pick a pepper when it reaches its mature size, feels firm to the touch, and shows its full, expected color for the variety.   But the exact moment isn’t always obvious, because peppers can be harvested at different stages depending on what you want to do with them.   You … Read more

You know when to pick a muskmelon by checking for a few key signs that tell you it’s perfectly ripe and ready to enjoy.   Picking a muskmelon at the right time makes all the difference between a sugary, aromatic treat and a bland, disappointing bite.   If you’ve ever brought one home from the … Read more

You know when to pick a Meyer lemon by watching for a combination of color, feel, and fragrance, not just the calendar.   If you’ve been asking yourself how do you know when to pick a meyer lemon, the short answer is that these lemons signal their readiness through vibrant golden-yellow skin, a slight give … Read more

You know when to pick a mango by trusting a combination of gentle squeeze, a sweet fragrance near the stem, and a slight give at the skin’s surface.   But here’s the thing, mangoes don’t all ripen on the same schedule, and the best time to pick one depends heavily on where it will finish … Read more

You know when to pick a lime by feeling for a slight give under gentle pressure and checking for a glossy, fully colored skin, because timing your harvest right makes all the difference between a tart, juicy lime and a disappointing, dry or overly bitter one.   If you’ve been standing over your tree wondering … Read more

You know when to pick a lemon cucumber by focusing on its size, color, and firmness rather than waiting for a specific date on the calendar.   You pick a lemon cucumber when it reaches about two to three inches in diameter, which is roughly the size of a tennis ball or a lemon, and … Read more