HOW TO PICK VEGETABLES 



silk becomes black and disappears and the ears re- 

 main on the stalk until well into the fall. Then they 

 are taken off, the husks stripped back (but not 

 taken off entirely), the ears tied together by the 

 husks, and hung in a cool dry place. Pop corn 

 "pops" best when a year old, so if you can save some 

 over a year it will delight you. It never pops well 

 the first year until it is thoroughly dried out. 



Squash should be picked when about half grown, 

 that is summer squash, like Marrows, Crooknecks, 

 and Patty Pans. Summer squash should be picked 

 before the skin gets hard ; you can use your thumb 

 nail to test them; if you cannot scratch a mark 

 you will know they have been on the vine too long; 

 if they are firm and plump and have not turned 

 a dark color and scratch easily they are ready to 

 pick. Use a knife to cut the stem. Winter squashes 

 stay on the vine until frost. 



Cucumbers are picked when very small for pickles 

 and when large but still tender for slicing. You 

 can test them by scratching, but the color tells you 

 very well. If they are the least bit yellow, they are 

 too old. Always cut the stem with a knife or shears. 

 Do not try to pull them off the vine. 



Onions are pulled when very young when you 

 want bunch onions or "scallions," but should grow 



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