You know lemongrass is ready to pick when the stalks reach about half an inch to an inch thick at the base and feel firm and solid.   That’s the sweet spot where the essential oils are most concentrated, giving you that bright, citrusy aroma and flavor you’re after.   If you’ve been wondering how … Read more

You know lavender is ready to pick when the buds on the lower third of the flower spike have just started to open and reveal their tiny petals.   That’s the sweet spot — the exact moment when the essential oils are at their peak, giving you the strongest fragrance and the most vibrant color … Read more

You know kohlrabi is ready to pick when the bulb at the base of the stem reaches about the size of a tennis ball or a golf ball, roughly 2 to 3 inches in diameter.   If you’ve been growing this quirky vegetable and wondering exactly when to harvest it, the size of that swollen … Read more

You know horseradish is ready to pick when the roots have reached full size and the leaves have matured, which usually happens in late autumn after the first frost has touched the foliage.   That initial frost is actually nature’s signal that the plant has pushed its energy down into the root, making it the … Read more

You know honeydew is ready to pick when the rind changes from a greenish-white to a creamy yellow, the blossom end gives slightly to gentle pressure, and the melon feels heavy and releases a sweet, musky scent.   But so many home gardeners struggle with this because honeydew doesn’t always announce its ripeness as loudly … Read more

You know habaneros are ready to pick when they have fully changed to their mature color and easily detach from the plant with a gentle tug.   This usually happens between 90 and 120 days after you’ve transplanted your seedlings, depending on the specific variety and your local climate.   You’ll know your habaneros are … Read more