Page 37 - Bringing out the Potential In Our Children - Gardeners - Food Producers

Length of storage varies, ranging from only a few weeks to 6
months depending upon the variety. Store apples at near-
freezing temperatures and at high humidity; a good root cellar
for storage is ideal.

Asparagus If you started your asparagus bed from crowns, you should be
able to harvest lightly for a week or two in the spring of the
second season, but waiting until the third season lets the
plants establish healthy root systems.

The third year should bring a moderate harvest for 3 or 4
weeks and then heavy picking for 6 weeks or more every year
thereafter.

Pick sparingly the first time - over about 2 weeks. Extend your
harvest gradually in subsequent season, until you are
harvesting for about 8 weeks. In more temperate climates this
can last up to 12 weeks.

Always gauge the length of your harvest by the previous
season's growth. Select only those spears that are thicker than
a pencil; anything thinner should be allowed to grow into
ferns.

Harvest spears in early spring when they are 6 to 8 inches (15-
20 cm) tall and the tips are still firm and closed. Cut or snap
the spears off at, or just below, ground level. If you opt to cut
your asparagus be careful not to injure the plant crown.

When the emerging spears get progressively thinner, it's time
to stop harvesting.

Asparagus is best when fresh, but you can refrigerate it for up
to 1 week. Set asparagus upright in 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of
water and refrigerate. Don't let the spear tips get wet, or
they'll rot. Surplus asparagus freezes really well, so that is
always another option.

For more, use our in-depth Growing Guide:

Growing Asparagus

Beans You can harvest beans up until frost starts.

Snap Beans
Green, Yellow - come in both bush and pole varieties

Pods should be firm and crisp at harvest and about as thick as
a pencil; they should snap when you break one in half. The
seeds inside should be very small and underdeveloped,
because beans are overmature if the seeds have begun to fill
out the pods. Hold the stem with one hand and the pod with
the other to avoid pulling off branches that will produce later
pickings. You can carefully pinch the pods with your fingers or