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Step 10: Harvesting
Video #1 what are the different harvesting methods you can use for your garden?
Video #2- How do I know when to harvest my plants?
Video #3 How much can you expect to harvest from one plant?
Video #4 How long will plants last in the Eden Tower before having to replant?
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Cut and Come Again Method
A few things to keep in mind, harvesting will vary depending on the type of plant you're growing. Leafy greens and herbs are great for continuous growth.
You can have a plant growing for 1-6+ months.
It is important to note that the taste of the leaves may change over time, and if the plant goes to seed, the taste may become bitter.
So it's best to harvest the plant regularly and avoid letting it go to seed. Lastly, in saying all this taste is the biggest factor in determining when to fully harvest your plants and replant.
Now, let's dive into the harvesting methods.
Video #1
How do I harvest my garden and what are the best methods?
Video #2
How do I know when to harvest my plants?
First up, we have the cut and come again method.
This technique is perfect for leafy greens and herbs. Simply cut off the outer leaves of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
Your plant will produce new leaves, allowing for multiple harvests from a single plant.
To use this method, wait until your plant has reached a suitable size and use a sharp pair of scissors or garden snips to cut the outer leaves at the base of the plant, leaving a few leaves behind to continue growing.
Repeat this process as the plant grows, harvesting leaves as needed and allowing it to continue producing new ones.
This method is a great way to maximize your harvest and extend the life of your plants, and it's commonly used for lettuce, spinach, kale.
How do I know when to harvest my plants?
Size: Your plants should reach their mature size or close to before you harvest them. For most leafy greens and herbs, this is usually around 3-6 weeks after planting.
Appearance: Look for signs of healthy growth, such as strong stems, bright green leaves, and a lack of yellowing or wilting.
Taste: Taste a small sample of your greens or herbs to see if they are flavorful and mature enough to harvest.
Age: Some plants, like basil, will start to flower after a certain amount of time. If this happens, it's a good idea to harvest the leaves before the plant expends too much energy on flowering. To stop this from happening you can also top your plants. ( this is explain in more detail below)
Harvest regularly: To keep your plants healthy and productive, make sure to harvest regularly rather than letting them grow too large. This will also ensure a steady supply of fresh greens and
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Video #4
How long will plants last in the Eden Tower before having to replant?
Video #3
How much can you expect to harvest from one plant?
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With this technique, you'll harvest the entire plant, including the stem and root system, but leave a portion of the stem and some leaves intact.
The remaining stem and leaves will serve as a base for regrowth, and your plant will produce new shoots from the base.
This method is commonly used for plants like basil, cilantro, and parsley.
Depending on your lifestyle needs, this method might be the right choice for you.
There are a few things you can look for to determine when it's time to harvest your leafy greens and herbs from your Eden Tower:
How do I know when to harvest my fruiting plants
The time to harvest flowering and fruiting plants from the Eden Tower will vary depending on the type of plant you are growing. Here are some general tips to help you determine when it's time to harvest:
Look for color changes: Most fruits and flowers will change color as they ripen. Look for the characteristic color of your plant to develop fully.
Check for firmness: Give the fruit a gentle squeeze to check if it feels firm. Some fruits, like strawberries, will soften slightly when they are ripe.
Smell: The aroma of the fruit will intensify when it is fully ripe.
Time since pollination: Most plants will begin to produce fruit or flowers within a certain time frame after pollination. Be sure to track when you pollinated your plant so you know when to expect fruit or flowers.
When it comes to yield, the variety of plant you choose can make all the difference.
For instance, with lettuce, you can expect a fresh, delicious head of greens every week from just one plant after the initial 30-day growth period. However, we have found that once the plant reaches maturity, keeping up with the output can be a challenge.
With fruiting and flowering plants the amount of yield.
Some fruiting plants, such as strawberries, can produce a few pounds of fruit per plant per year in a hydroponic system. Other fruiting plants, such as tomatoes or peppers, can produce several pounds of fruit per plant, depending on the specific growing conditions and the cultivar being used.
Overall, with careful attention to the growing conditions and the specific needs of each plant, it is possible to achieve a higher yield of fruits in a hydroponic garden compared to traditional soil-based gardening.
However, the yield will still vary depending on a range of factors and it's important to carefully monitor your plants and adjust your growing conditions as needed to achieve the best possible yield.
How much can you expect to harvest from one plant?
Use appropriate nutrient solution: Fruiting plants require higher levels of certain nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus. Make sure to use the appropriate nutrient solution for your specific plants and adjust the strength as necessary.
Pollinate the flowers: Some fruiting plants require pollination to produce fruit. You can use a small brush to transfer pollen between flowers or introduce pollinators like bees into your grow space.
Prune the plants: Pruning can help direct the plant's energy towards fruit production. You can remove dead or damaged leaves and branches or selectively prune to encourage growth of fruit-bearing branches.
Manage the temperature and humidity: Fruiting plants have specific temperature and humidity requirements. Make sure to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity within the optimal range for your specific plants.
Depending on the type of plant, you can enjoy a long-lasting harvest from one planting. Leafy greens and herbs, for example, can continue to produce for anywhere from 1 to 6 months or more, with flavor being the ultimate determinant of when to refresh your planting.
For fruit and flower plants, the average lifespan is around 3+ months, although some varieties can keep producing for up to 2 years! And when it comes to beans, peas, peppers, and tomatoes, you can often enjoy multiple harvests from a single planting.
How long will plants last in the Eden Tower before having to replant?
Cut and Come BACK Method
If You are Growing Plants that Fruits
Harvesting fruiting plants depends on the specific plant and the type of fruit it produces.
Generally, you want to wait until the fruit is fully ripe before harvesting.
The fruit should have reached its full size and color, and be slightly soft to the touch. For example, tomatoes should be a deep, uniform color and give slightly when pressed gently.
To harvest, you can either twist or cut the fruit from the plant.
For plants with delicate fruit, such as strawberries, it is best to pinch the stem just above the fruit and gently pull to remove it from the plant.
For fruits like tomatoes, you can use a pair of scissors or garden shears to cut the stem just above the fruit.
Once you have harvested the fruit, the plant will continue to produce more as long as the growing conditions are favorable.
However, the rate of production may slow down over time, and the quality of the fruit may also decline.
It is important to regularly monitor the health of the plant and provide it with the proper care to ensure continued fruit production.
Remember, the key to a successful harvest is to be mindful of your plants and their growth cycles. Happy harvesting!
Overall, it's best to keep a close eye on your plants and harvest them when they appear healthy, mature, and flavorful.
What is the best method of harvesting to use?
When it comes to harvesting your plants, choosing between the cut and come again method or the cut and come back method is all about your personal lifestyle.
For those who enjoy gradually eating from their garden and using fresh produce for smoothies and sandwiches, the cut and come again method may be the way to go. With this method, you can pick what you need and leave the rest to continue growing.
On the other hand, if you have a large family of hearty eaters, the cut and come back method may be a better choice. This involves harvesting the entire head of leafy greens and herbs at once to ensure there's enough to go around.
Ultimately, there's no right or wrong way to harvest your plants. It all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. Choose the method that works best for you and enjoy the delicious bounty of your garden!