Harvest & process

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

When

Baby ginger at 4–5 months; mature knobs when leaves yellow.

Part

Rhizome

In the field

A pot you can dump. Wash, don’t peel until you use it.

Cure

Fresh in the fridge; or slice and dry at low heat until it snaps.

Store

Fresh weeks; dried coins a year in a tin.

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

When

When the leaves die back, late season.

Part

Rhizome

In the field

Fingers snap from the mother. Gloves — it stains.

Cure

Boil briefly if you want the traditional yellow, then slice and dry — or freeze fresh.

Store

Dried coins or frozen knobs. Always with fat in the kitchen cup.

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

When

Just as it flowers, morning, several cuts.

Part

Aerial parts

In the field

Cut generously; it wants to be a hedge.

Cure

Hang fast — balm browns if it sits in a pile.

Store

Whole leaf. A quiet evening cup.

Garlic

Allium sativum

When

Scapes when they curl; bulbs when leaves yellow and fall.

Part

Bulb

In the field

Lift, cure in shade with tops on until the wrappers rustle.

Cure

A barn or porch, airy, two to three weeks.

Store

Cool, dry, not the fridge. Honey is a kitchen preserve.

Nettle

Urtica dioica

When

Young tops in spring, before it flowers. Gloves.

Part

Young leaf · Root

In the field

Pinch the top four inches. A second flush after a cut.

Cure

Hang or freeze. The sting dies with heat or dry.

Store

Dried leaf a year. This is a food tea.

Skip roadside and dog-walk patches.

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

When

Year-round in frost-free yards; a morning snip before a long cook.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tips

In the field

Take tips, not the old wood. A shrub is a pantry.

Cure

Hang short sprigs, or freeze whole.

Store

Dried needles a year; fresh in a glass of water for a week.

Oyster mushroom

Pleurotus ostreatus

When

Caps still curled at the edge, clusters before they sporate the room.

Part

Fruiting body

In the field

Twist the whole bouquet from the block.

Cure

Cook fresh. Dry the overflow.

Store

Dried, then soup.

Sweet basil

Ocimum basilicum

When

Pinch tips before flower for the sweetest leaf, all summer.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Never strip a stem to bare wood. Keep two leaf pairs.

Cure

Freeze in oil. Hang-dry is a paler, hayier basil.

Store

Frozen cubes through winter. Pesto is the put-up.

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

When

Leaf through the warm season. Dry fast to keep the lemon.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

When

Before full bloom, repeatedly.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Raspberry leaf

Rubus idaeus

When

Young leaf in spring; fruit in summer.

Part

Leaf · Fruit as food

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

When

Stalks when the clump is thick; cut at soil.

Part

Stalk · Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

When

Outer stems, cut-and-come, through the cool season.

Part

Leaf · Stem

In the field

Never take the heart. A July sowing pays in fall.

Cure

Freeze chopped. Dry is a lesser parsley.

Store

Frozen bags. Fresh in a jar of water for a week.

Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum

When

Leaf young; seed when umbels tan.

Part

Leaf · Ripe seed

In the field

Decide the crop: salsa leaf, or wait for coriander seed.

Cure

Leaf freezes poorly but a paste in oil works. Seed dries on a cloth.

Store

Seed a year. Leaf is a now-food.

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

When

Mature leaves year-round. Dry a week in the dark.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Dill

Anethum graveolens

When

Leaf before bloom; seed when umbels brown.

Part

Leaf · Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

When

Cut 2 inches above the crown. Never scalp the clump.

Part

Leaf · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

French tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa

When

Cut young tips through summer. Freeze or vinegar the glut.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet marjoram

Origanum majorana

When

Cut as the knots of flower form — flavor peaks then.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Borage

Borago officinalis

When

Flowers as they open; youngest leaves only.

Part

Flower · Young leaf (sparingly)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

When

Leaf young; seed when pods dry and rattle.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Oatstraw

Avena sativa

When

Milky tops when the grain weeps a white latex; straw after; grain when the panicle rattles.

Part

Milky tops · Straw · Ripe grain as food

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

When

Tips before they yellow. Cut-and-come.

Part

Leaf · Stem · Tips

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

When

Leaves anytime; flowers as they open; green seeds for pickle.

Part

Leaf · Flower · Green seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Button mushroom

Agaricus bisporus

When

Buttons while closed; portobello when open, before they flatten to spore.

Part

Fruiting body

In the field

Twist from a block you spawned. This is not a lawn hunt.

Cure

Cook fresh. Dry the overflow at 110–125°F until the piece snaps.

Store

Dried, then soup. Fresh a few days in the fridge.

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

When

Side roots in autumn, or as needed. Leave the crown.

Part

Fresh root

In the field

A thong in a corner you can live with. Gloves — the juice burns.

Cure

Grate and cover with vinegar at once. Fresh root in the fridge a few weeks.

Store

Prepared sauce refrigerated. A dry stick in a drawer is not the heat.

Plant it where you accept a permanent patch.

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

When

Young leaf in the cool; seed when pods tan, before they shatter.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Bag the pods or the garden becomes mustard.

Cure

Leaf as a green or freeze. Seed dries on a cloth, then a jar.

Store

Seed a year. Grind with cold water and vinegar — heat kills the heat.

Olive

Olea europaea

When

Fruit in autumn when it colors; leaf year-round from a tree you own.

Part

Fruit · Oil · Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Tea

Camellia sinensis

When

The top two leaves and a bud, several flushes in a mild climate.

Part

Young leaf and bud

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Curry leaf

Murraya koenigii

When

Leaf year-round on a happy tree. Pinch sprigs.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Shiso

Perilla frutescens

When

Leaves anytime; pinch before it flowers if you want leaf.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops · Seed in Korean cooking

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

When

Leaf through the season; seed when umbels tan.

Part

Leaf · Stem · Seed · Root in old kitchens

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Wash, slice thin, dry until the center snaps.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

When

Outer leaves, cut-and-come, spring to frost. Cut back when it bolts.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

When

Cut-and-come tips. Keep it from flowering if you want leaf.

Part

Leaf and stem

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Caraway

Carum carvi

When

Umbels in year two when they tan; bag them.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

When

Leaf at 8–12 weeks; pods when tender, before they wood.

Part

Leaf · Young pod

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Bee balm

Monarda fistulosa

When

Leaf and tops as they flower.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

When

Leaf anytime; spikes as they color.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

When

Leaf before flower for the sweetest cut. Dry fast.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Winter savory

Satureja montana

When

Snip all season. Flavor peaks as it flowers. Hang-dry the soft tips.

Part

Leaf and young stem

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

When

When the shoulder yields and the color is true. Flavor finishes on the plant.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

When

New potatoes when flowers open; maincrop when haulms yellow.

Part

Mature tuber, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Sweet potato

Ipomoea batatas

When

Before frost. A nicked root does not store.

Part

Storage root, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Onion

Allium cepa

When

When tops fall. Cure until wrappers rustle.

Part

Bulb · Green top

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Carrot

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

When

When shoulders are the size you want. A frost sweetens them.

Part

Root · Young leaf (kitchen, modest)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Beet

Beta vulgaris

When

Golf-ball to tennis-ball. Giants get woody.

Part

Root · Leaf

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

When

When the head is tight. A split head after rain is still soup.

Part

Head · Outer leaf

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

When

Outer leaves. The crown keeps giving.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

When

Tight buds, before yellow petals show. Then the side shoots.

Part

Flower head · Stem · Young leaf

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

When

Cut-and-come-again, or a whole plant before it towers.

Part

Leaf

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

When

Young, often. A yellow baseball is a seed factory.

Part

Unripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo

When

Six to eight inches, every day. Blossoms in the morning.

Part

Young fruit · Blossom

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

When

When the rind resists a thumbnail and the stem corks. Before a hard frost.

Part

Ripe flesh · Seed

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

When

Glossy, before the skin dulls and the seeds harden.

Part

Ripe fruit, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

When

Finger-length, every day. A knife; they tug the plant.

Part

Young pod

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Green bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

When

Young, often. A swollen seed in the pod is already a shelling bean.

Part

Young pod · Mature seed (cooked separately, thoroughly)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Pea

Pisum sativum

When

Snap and snow when flat-to-plump; shelling when pods fill but are still green.

Part

Immature seed · Edible pod · Dried seed

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Corn

Zea mays

When

Silk brown, juice milky when you puncture a kernel.

Part

Fresh kernels · Dried grain (nixtamalized or cooked as food)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

When

Spears finger-thick, 6–8 inches, for 4–6 weeks in a mature bed. Then let it fern.

Part

Young spear

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Artichoke

Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

When

Buds tight, before the bracts splay into a flower.

Part

Immature flower head (bracts and heart)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Apple

Malus domestica

When

When the stem parts with a lift, not a yank. Flavor finishes on the tree for many types.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Peach

Prunus persica

When

When it smells like a peach and yields at the shoulder.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Grape

Vitis vinifera

When

When the seed is brown and the sugar is in the berry, not the calendar.

Part

Ripe fruit · Leaf (kitchen wrap)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa

When

Fully red. They do not ripen off the plant in any honest way.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

When

Wait a few days after they turn blue — sugar lags color.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Fig

Ficus carica

When

When it droops, softens, and often weeps a drop. They do not ripen off the tree.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Pomegranate

Punica granatum

When

When the rind is fully colored and often splits. They store cool a while.

Part

Arils

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Lemon

Citrus limon

When

When fully yellow (or Meyer-orange) and heavy. They hang well.

Part

Juice · Zest

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Orange

Citrus × sinensis

When

Fully colored and sweet. They can hang.

Part

Ripe fruit · Juice · Zest

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Banana

Musa acuminata

When

When the bunch fills and the first fingers lighten. Ripen off the stem.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Avocado

Persea americana

When

Mature green, then ripen indoors. They do not soften on the tree in any useful way.

Part

Ripe flesh

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Pineapple

Ananas comosus

When

When the base yellows and it smells like pineapple from a foot away.

Part

Ripe flesh

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Mango

Mangifera indica

When

When the shoulder yields and the smell is mango, not green stem.

Part

Ripe flesh · Green fruit (chutney, salad)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

When

Yellow ground spot, dry tendril at the stem, a dull knock.

Part

Ripe flesh · Seed · Rind (pickle)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Durian

Durio zibethinus

When

When it drops, in season. Climbing for unripe is how people get hurt.

Part

Ripe aril

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Lychee

Litchi chinensis

When

When the shell is fully red and the fruit feels full. They do not ripen off the tree.

Part

Ripe aril

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Dragon fruit

Selenicereus undatus

When

When the wings dull from green toward yellow-pink and the fruit yields.

Part

Ripe flesh

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Passion fruit

Passiflora edulis

When

When fruit drops or the shell wrinkles and colors fully.

Part

Ripe pulp and seed

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

When

Ripe when it smells sweet from a distance and the skin yields. Young for savory, much earlier.

Part

Ripe bulbs · Young fruit (cooked)

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Starfruit

Averrhoa carambola

When

When yellow and slightly soft. Green is for pickle, not dessert.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Rambutan

Nephelium lappaceum

When

When the hairs color fully (red, yellow, or orange by type) and the fruit feels full.

Part

Ripe aril

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana

When

When the shell is deep purple and yields slightly. Green is useless.

Part

Ripe inner segments

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat fresh, or blanch and freeze.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Bitter melon

Momordica charantia

When

Young, still green, before the fruit colors and splits to show red arils — unless you want the sweet seed snack.

Part

Young fruit, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Cherimoya

Annona cherimola

When

When it just yields. Ripen on the counter if mature-hard.

Part

Ripe flesh

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Tamarind

Tamarindus indica

When

When pods brown and brittle and the pulp is sticky-dark, not green.

Part

Ripe pulp

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Persimmon

Diospyros kaki

When

Fuyu fully colored and still firm. Hachiya fully colored and soft, often after a frost.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Kiwi

Actinidia deliciosa

When

When they just yield. Ripen off the vine if mature.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Guava

Psidium guajava

When

When it yields and the perfume is unmistakable. Green is astringent.

Part

Ripe fruit

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Eat ripe. Freeze surplus, or a kitchen jam, pickle, or leather.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Taro

Colocasia esculenta

When

When leaves yellow in the cool season, or as needed. Cook the same day you peel if possible.

Part

Corm, cooked · Leaf, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Cassava

Manihot esculenta

When

8–18 months, before the root lignifies. Cook soon after digging — the root does not keep like a potato.

Part

Prepared root, cooked

In the field

Pick from a plant you grew or a market you trust. Leave wild stands of rare fruit alone.

Cure

Cure in shade if the plate says so; else store cool and dark, or cook soon.

Store

Cool and dark for keepers; the fridge for tender fruit. Label the year on a winter squash or a cured tuber.

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

When

Heads when the back turns yellow-brown and the bracts droop. Petals anytime.

Part

Seed · Petal · Young head

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Heartsease

Viola tricolor

When

Flowers as they open. Keep cutting and it keeps coming.

Part

Flower · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet violet

Viola odorata

When

Flowers in early spring, before the leaf takes over.

Part

Flower · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Arabian jasmine

Jasminum sambac

When

Pick barely-open buds in the evening.

Part

Fresh flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Garland chrysanthemum

Glebionis coronaria

When

Cut-and-come-again when 6 inches. Do not wait for a woody stem.

Part

Young leaf · Shoot · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Clove pink

Dianthus caryophyllus

When

Flowers at peak scent, in the cool of the morning.

Part

Petal (white heel removed)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Orange daylily

Hemerocallis fulva

When

Buds the day before they would open. Flowers the morning they open.

Part

Unopened bud · Fresh flower (stamens removed if you prefer)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Rose geranium

Pelargonium graveolens

When

Leaves anytime. Flowers as a garnish.

Part

Leaf · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Dahlia

Dahlia × pinnata

When

Flowers all summer. Tubers after the tops blacken from frost.

Part

Tuber · Petal

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Garden peony

Paeonia lactiflora

When

Cut buds when they are marshmallow-soft for the vase. Petals as they open.

Part

Petal (unsprayed)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus

When

Cut when the outer florets are just open. Petals anytime.

Part

Petal · Flower head

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.