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Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Hot weather is a lettuce crop's worst enemy, because it causes bolting (the formation of seed heads) and bitter- tasting leaves. Luckily, you can often harvest tasty leaves from both head and leaf lettuce plants right up to bolting, Cashel says.
When buying lettuce at farmers' markets, look for vendors who display their lettuce on ice or in coolers, Cashel advises. And don't be afraid to ask if the vendors grew their own crops.
Eggplant
Ripe eggplants drain the plant's resources. So know what you grow and harvest eggplants when they reach the proper size for their variety.
Onions
Do you crave homegrown produce in the winter? Then grow onions—they store for months when properly handled. Dr. Harrison says you should wait until the tops fall over to harvest, then gently dig up the whole plant and dry in a protected place.
"Every gardener with a moist, shady area knows slugs are pigs. With their rough, file-like tongues, these mollusks devour several times their own body weight in one night, leaving gaping holes in leaves, torn foliage, and-yuck!-slime trails in their wake. Hostas and lettuce are their most common targets, but corn, beans, strawberries, annual flowers, and many other garden favorites are susceptible to attacks. In our test gardens, we've battled the slimers and tried a many different strategies for controlling them. The following tactics work best for us."
Blessings! -Jacque
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Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by quietcajun
I am so glad you posted this. While our growing season is apparently later here in the Pacific NW... therefore, my veggies are mostly not ready yet (although the chives are and we did get a nice big potato today!) I have been wondering about how to harvest and we do have an eggplant so that was very useful to know. I am looking forward to making eggplant parmesan! YUMMY
By the way, I left a personal message for you. Read it when you can please. :)
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