ASPARAGUS - When spears are 6-8 inches tall, snap off at ground level. Allow all spears to "fern" after 4-6 weeks of harvesting.

BEANS - Check daily and pick young rather than with seeds bulging. Pods should break easily with a "snap".

LIMA BEANS - When pods are full, light green before any yellowing.

BEETS - Harvest "greens" when thinning and watch for beet at soil line. Harvest at size you prefer.

BROCCOLI - When green buds of the young flower head are size of a match. Homegrown doesn't reach supermarket size, so don't wait.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS - Twist lower sprouts off when green and about an inch or so in diameter.

CABBAGE -  When head feels full and solid. If overripe, it will split.

CARROTS - When visible at soil line - about 1-2 inches long. Light frost improves flavor.

CAULIFLOWER - When "curds" of head are still smooth. Will be smaller than market heads, so don't wait.

CELERY -  Three months after transplanting. Cut at base just beneath crown.

CORN (Sweet) -  Kernels in milk stage. About 3 weeks after silks form and are dry and brown.

CUCUMBER -  Check daily and pick immature for best taste. When past their prime, fruit turns yellow and seeds are dark.

EGGPLANT - Pick young, while fruit has a glossy skin. Overripe fruit have brown seeds and dull skins.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE -  Dig tubers 6 weeks after flower fade and drop.

KALE -  When leaves are rich green and firm. Cut frequently. Cold weather may improve flavor.

KOHLRABI -  When plant is 2-3 inches in diameter. Becomes tough and bitter as size increases.

LEEKS -  11-12 weeks after transplanting - about 1 inch in diameter.

LETTUCE -  When head feels firm or just before hot weather as they will bolt to seed. Leaf lettuce can be harvested by the outer leaves throughout the summer.

MUSKMELON -  When spaces between the netting turn beige and the fruit "slips" from the vine when lifted gently.

ONIONS -  Pull scallions when preferred size or allow to develop until tops fall over and ripen. Dig and allow to dry in the sun.

PARSNIPS -  Flavor improves after a few frosts. May be mulched heavily for winter and dug in spring.

PEAS -  Feel pods for solid peas or eat one off the vine for sweetness.

POTATOES -  When tops have dried but before the first heavy freeze. When digging avoid skinning and exposing tubers to light.

PUMPKINS -  Cut with stem. Before heavy frost, remove from field.

RADISHES -  3-6 weeks after planting. Goes to seed in hot weather.

RHUBARB -  Pull outer stems as they reach size but discard poisonous leaf blade.

RUTABEGA -  3 months to maturity or when about 3 inches in diameter. Better flavor after frost. Can be mulched and dug as needed.

SWISS CHARD -  Cut outer leaves 1-2 inches from soil leaving center to continue growing.

SPINACH -  Cut at soil line before seed stem develops.

SQUASH (Summer/Zucchini) -  Pick young fruit before skins are too tough to be broken by pressure of thumb nail.

SQUASH (Winter) -  Look for appropriate color and cut with stem before heavy frost.

TOMATOES -  When fully ripe or harvest when slightly green and ripen inside at 70 degrees F.

TURNIPS -  When 2-2 1/2 inches in diameter at soil line. Become woody when overripe.