Fall may be when most farmers harvest their crops, but harvest season is a continuous cycle for those with a year-round greenhouse.
To get the most out of your plants and ensure a bountiful crop all year long, follow these five tips for harvesting plants in your greenhouse. You can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden all year round with proper care and attention!
Harvesting plants in the year-round greenhouse: the best time is usually early in the morning
Knowing when to harvest your plants is the key to getting the most out of your year-round greenhouse. The best time to harvest plants is usually early in the morning, and they should be fully hydrated in order to get optimal results. Harvesting at this time provides many benefits, including a higher yield, better quality produce, and less risk of damage due to pests or pathogen activity.
Waiting until later in the day can lead to rapid wilting and water loss, both of which can impact the flavor or other valuable qualities. Remember that crops like tomatoes or peppers need additional ripening after harvesting. At the same time, greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach will continue maturing even when picked – so timing is essential!
Cut the plant at the stem, don’t damage the rest of the plant
Keeping a year-round greenhouse stocked with fresh, healthy products can be an exciting challenge. When harvesting plants, it’s essential to do so correctly and not damage the rest of the plant.
To ensure successful harvesting, one tip is always to use sharp shears and cut directly at the stem; this prevents leaving parts of the plant behind and easily collects any leaves attached to the cutting. Although it may require extra effort, properly caring for your year-round greenhouse is worth every minute for delicious produce all year.
Hang your plant’s upside down in a cool, dark place
Harvesting your plants in a year-round greenhouse can be especially tricky since the environment is much different than in traditional greenhouses. One efficient way to harvest your plants is to hang them upside down in a cool, dark place to dry them out.
This technique is efficient because it preserves essential nutrients and prevents mold growth, giving you quick access to your harvested produce without additional cutting or washing tools. Identification tags are also a great idea, as they can help you better track each plant and its ripeness. Hang drying helps preserve your plants’ natural flavors and aromas, allowing for robust buds and enjoyable yields during harvest time!
Store your dried plants in an airtight container
To ensure the quality preservation of your dried plants, storing them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight is essential. This will help protect the delicate leaves and flowers from losing color or environmental damage. Label your jars for easy identification and reference when needing a particular plant for tea blends and herbal remedies.
For optimal storage, use glass jars that are free of odors, light-blocking, and non-porous so that essential oils won’t seep through. Pay extra attention to where the containers are kept so they can stay preserved in their ideal conditions until you’re ready to use them.
Enjoy your home-grown herbs and spices all year long!
Growing herbs and spices in your greenhouse shed mean you can enjoy fresh, fragrant ingredients all year round! A simple year-round greenhouse setup will provide the necessary environment for harvesting various herbs and spices throughout the season. With a few helpful tips for maintaining and managing your crop, you’ll have no problem enjoying delicious home-grown herbs and spices all year long.
Following some basic guidelines for temperature control, airflow, lighting, watering, and harvesting cycles, you can ensure that your greenhouse remains productive and fruitful throughout the growing season. So with some work on your part, you’ll be able to creatively use homegrown herbs and spices in your favorite recipes any time of year!
Concluding thoughts
Now that you know when and how to harvest your plants, it’s time to get out there and start enjoying your own home-grown herbs and spices all year! We hope these tips have been helpful, and we wish you the best of luck with your gardening endeavors. Happy harvesting!
