Harvest Date Calculator
Know when your vegetables will be ready
Calculate Harvest Date
Harvest Window
Select a crop and planting date
Expected Harvest
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Days to Maturity
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Days Remaining
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Harvest Tips
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Garden Harvest Schedule
Add crops to see your harvest schedule
Days to Maturity Guide
Quick Harvest (20-45 days)
- Radishes20-30
- Lettuce (leaf)30-45
- Spinach35-45
- Arugula25-40
- Green Onions30-40
- Baby Carrots30-40
Medium (45-70 days)
- Bush Beans50-60
- Cucumbers50-70
- Zucchini45-55
- Beets50-70
- Kale55-65
- Chard50-60
Longer (70-100 days)
- Tomatoes70-85
- Peppers60-90
- Carrots70-80
- Broccoli70-100
- Cabbage70-100
- Corn70-90
Long Season (100+ days)
- Winter Squash90-120
- Pumpkins90-120
- Watermelon80-100
- Onions (bulb)100-120
- Garlic240+
- Potatoes90-120
Harvest Planning Tips
Succession Planting
Plant quick crops like lettuce and radishes every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. This extends your harvest window and prevents gluts of produce all at once.
Count Backwards
Want tomatoes by July 4th? Count backwards from your target date. If tomatoes need 75 days, plant transplants around April 20th (accounting for your last frost date).
Weather Adjustments
Cool, cloudy weather adds 1-2 weeks to maturity. Hot weather can speed things up. Check plants regularly as harvest approaches rather than relying solely on dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate when to harvest vegetables?
Add the "days to maturity" listed on seed packets to your planting date. For transplants, subtract 2-3 weeks since they have a head start. Days to maturity varies by variety - cherry tomatoes mature in 50-65 days while beefsteak types need 80-100 days.
What does "days to maturity" mean?
Days to maturity is the average number of days from planting (or transplanting) until harvest. For direct-sown crops, count from seed planting. For transplants, count from when seedlings go in the ground. Actual time varies with weather, soil, and growing conditions.
Why is my harvest later than expected?
Several factors delay harvest: cool weather slows growth, insufficient sunlight, poor soil nutrition, water stress, or pest damage. Days to maturity assumes ideal conditions. Add 1-2 weeks for cool springs or partial shade locations.
How do I know when vegetables are ready to pick?
Signs vary by crop: tomatoes should be fully colored and slightly soft; peppers reach full size and color; beans snap cleanly; squash has hard skin that resists fingernail pressure; corn silks turn brown and dry. Taste testing is often the best indicator.
Can I harvest vegetables early?
Many vegetables can be harvested early as "baby" versions - baby carrots, young zucchini, baby greens. Some crops like lettuce and herbs are best harvested young. However, tomatoes, peppers, and melons need full maturity for best flavor.
Does variety affect harvest time?
Yes, significantly. Early varieties mature faster but may have smaller yields. Main season varieties take longer but often produce more. Check seed packets for specific days to maturity - "Early Girl" tomatoes (50 days) vs "Brandywine" (80+ days).
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