Summer is the best time for all gardeners because the hard work finally bears fruit. But if you have grown various vegetables in the kitchen garden, you are now probably wondering when should you harvest the zucchini? They grow very quickly in hot weather and sufficient moisture and should be checked every day. Therefore, it is important to harvest zucchini at the right time to get the tastiest vegetable with the highest nutritional value.
When to harvest zucchini? Tips for a successful harvest
Once the flowers appear, you'll likely have ripe vegetables available in just a few days. But if you don't harvest the zucchini on time, a tiny fruit can grow too large in one day. It is therefore important to know when the zucchini is ready to prepare delicious dishes because you don't want them to lose their crunchy texture.
Pay attention to the size
The larger a zucchini gets, the more hearty it becomes, with large, tough seeds. Therefore, the nutrient quality decreases because it uses its energy for seed production.
Check your plants daily as soon as they start producing fruit.
Ideally, zucchini should be harvested when the fruits are 15 cm to 20 cm long. Of course there are different varieties and you should check which variety you have grown. Some zucchini are edible even when they are 30 cm long.
How do you tell when zucchini are ripe?
The right time to harvest zucchini is 45 to 55 days after planting.
They need lots of sun to grow properly and reach maturity. Therefore, color is the most important characteristic by which you can tell whether they are ripe.
They come in green, yellow and white, but regardless of which variety you grow, the fruit should have a strong, rich color when ready to harvest.
Remember that the peel of ripe zucchini is very delicate and can be easily scraped off with your fingernails.
Before harvesting the fruit, make sure it is firm and heavy. Soft fruit is likely rotten and should be discarded.
If your plant gets yellow leaves, it's not a good sign.Find out here, which are the most common causes and what measures you should take.
Harvesting zucchini: How are they picked correctly?
Once you've noticed the perfect, ripe zucchini on your plant, it's time to harvest it. The best time of day for this is the afternoon when the sun is weaker. Pick the ripe fruit by either twisting or cutting it.
Turning is easy and you don't need any tools, but you should be careful that the fruit can be injured. Broken zucchini are still edible, but they no longer last and can rot quickly. Also remember not to twist too hard to avoid damaging the roots of the zucchini plant.
If you want to cut the zucchini from the plant, use sharp pruning shears or a sharp knife. Simply cut off the fruit leaving 2-4 cm of the stem to keep the zucchini fresher longer.
To get the best out of your plant,harvest the zucchiniregularly to encourage new growth. However, leaving some fruit on the plant will slow production. Check the plant daily, looking for hidden fruits under the large leaves.
Store zucchini properly after harvesting
Zucchini can be stored at room temperature for two to three days.
You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to seven days. If the fruits are dirty, remember that after washing they should be dried completely with a paper towel.
Zucchini can also be frozen for winter dishes. Before freezing, wash them and cut them into the desired shape. Freeze them on a baking sheet and then place them in an airtight container.
More ideas on how to make zucchini last longer:can be found here.
Can you harvest the zucchini flowers?
One canthe zucchini flowersalso harvest and prepare delicious delicacies. But if you want fruit, you should make sure to only harvest the male flowers and not to pick all of them.
The ideal time to harvest the flowers is just before they fall. You can store them or use them immediately.
