These are cut-and-come-again plants that produce throughout the growing season and even over winter months in warmer climates. Taller leaves are thicker at the base, where flavor is concentrated. Plants started from seed take about 60 days to reach maturity, depending on the climate. The Spruce / K. Dave Purchased plants are ready to harvest 30 days after transplanting into the garden. First-year plants do well when cut back three or four times throughout the season....

Pickling cucumbers also are flavorful and good to eat fresh, although not as large as slicing cucumbers. Slicing cucumbers, however, do not make good pickles due to their high water content. No matter which variety you choose, you’ll enjoy their fresh, crispy texture and versatility. The Spruce / Margot Cavin Regardless of variety, we’ll talk you through the basics of how and when to harvest cucumbers. Check the vines daily after they start to produce....

But how does an excited gardener know when the time is right? Knowing the signs to look out for will help you harvest kale at the right time. Read on for helpful tips and ways of harvesting that will encourage regrowth for a healthy crop cycle. Getty Images / Mariia Skovpen Want more gardening tips? These simple steps will help you make the most of the yield and keep your kale growing....

The Spruce / Candace Madonna Mint plants(Menthaspp.) are known for growing quickly and abundantly. When planted directly in the ground, mint can spread easily via undergroundrhizomes. The Spruce / Candace Madonna Once it’s planted, mint can be very difficult to get rid of entirely. Removing too much can significantly weaken the plant and impact its future growth. Want more gardening tips? stock_colors / Getty Images Once a mintplant starts to bolt, the plant’s energy starts going towards producing blooms and seeds....

Learn when and how to harvest oregano for the best flavor and the plant’s health. Meet the Expert What Is Oregano? Oregano is an herb often used for cooking and as an antioxidant for health benefits. The Spruce / Kara Riley Its pronounced flavor is often described as herby, peppery, and minty, with an underlying faint bitterness. As a perennial, oregano will continue to grow year after year without replanting....

Potatoes, like all root crops, are harvested most efficiently bydigging them up. Read on to discover how and when to harvest both kinds of potatoes. Note that they can tolerate a very light frost. The Spruce / K. Dave Theflowers and foliagedetermine when to best harvest your crop. For baby potatoes (new potatoes), wait for two or three weeks after they’ve finished flowering. Harvesting New Potatoes New potatoes are small, tender potatoes that are harvested and eaten right away....

Sage is a woody perennial herbthat is known for its earthy, herbal, slightly sweet fragrance. Sage is a common ingredient in cooking, and is often tied in bundles or used as incense. When to Harvest Sage Most leafy herbs have the richest flavor and aroma prior to flowering. However, common garden sage can be an exception depending on your particular growing conditions. In the first year of growth, harvest lightly taking only a few leaves throughout the season....

dirkr/Getty Images Thymeis an easy-growing, Mediterranean evergreen shrub that is generally low maintenance, thriving in sun conditions. It’s drought tolerant andcomes back every year. But it does have one quirkyou have to harvestthymecorrectly if you want it to thrive rather than die. dirkr/Getty Images Want to know how to get it exactly right? Here’s how to harvest thyme, when to do it, and exactly how much to take. If you need it, take it....

We also provide useful tips for spring bulb planting and for overwintering bulbs in climates with cold winters. It maximizes garden space and provides a continuous array of flowers all spring. The ideal chilling period for most spring-blooming bulbs ranges between 10 to 16 weeks at 35 to 45F. lucentius / Getty Images In warm climates, winter temperatures do not meet the chilling requirements. They are often native to warm climates and thus dont survive cold, snowy winters like spring-blooming bulbs....

All of them will need to be pruned to help maintain their shape and improve fruit production. Pruninga lemon tree requires some basic gardening equipment and easy-to-learn skills. Let’s get your lemon tree into good shape. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Most citrus trees are grafted onto rootstock, and the suckers do not produce the desired fruit variety. Mature lemon trees produce best and are easier to harvest with regular pruning....

Prune at the Right Time to Encourage Healthy New Blooms The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Azaleas need occasionalpruning. Its important to know when to do maintenance pruning vs. more severe rejuvenation pruning. Pruning azaleas at the right time is also essential. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Here are detailed instructions for how and when to prune azaleas. You may only need to prune azaleas to remove damaged, dead, crossing, and diseased branches....

Many prefer carpet to hardwood or natural stone because of its cozy feel and low price point. There are ways tokeep the cost downwhile ensuring you choosea carpetthat suits your needs. Here, learn how to find cheaper carpeting for your home without sacrificing quality. The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian However, nylon is also the most expensive synthetic carpet fiber. Prices can be significantly higher for some high-quality options. Consider choosing a less expensive fiber for your carpet....

What Is Pipe Dope? Pipe dope, or pipe joint compound, is a sealant used with any threaded pipe. It is both a lubricant and a sealant for threaded joints. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Some types of sealants are not appropriate for bothwater pipesand gas pipes. Read the product usage specifications carefully. If you are not comfortable sealing gas pipes, contact a professional immediately. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Do not smear the compound inside the pipes....