Spring is in full swing here at Shesther’s, and while the frosts are just behind us (fingers crossed past Labour Day!), the gardens and orchard are pumping out produce faster than we can keep up. Hubby’s been on frost duty with the incinerators, the kiwifruit are looking promising, and thanks to all that late-night effort, the veggie and flower beds are thriving too.

But here’s the catch — harvest timing is everything. One day you’ve got tender lettuce, the next it’s bolted. A zucchini hides under a leaf and suddenly it’s the size of a cricket bat. Or your basil decides it’s done and shoots straight to flower. Miss the moment, and the guilt of wasted veggies is real.

In this episode, I’m sharing:
🌿 Why harvest timing matters more than you think
 🥬 Six crops you need to pick right now before they go to waste
🌟 The “hidden harvests” most gardeners forget about
🛠️ Quick storage tricks (freeze, dry, gift, and get creative!)
🧺 My favorite harvest hacks to make picking easier and more enjoyable

Whether it’s herbs, lettuce, beans, courgettes, tomatoes, flowers, or those sneaky spring onions and radishes, harvesting at the right time keeps your garden producing and your kitchen full. And the best part? A few simple habits will save your crops, your sanity, and maybe even win you a smile when you gift a bag of produce to a neighbor.

So grab your basket, join me in the garden, and let’s hustle our way through the harvest before anything goes to waste!

✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. Whether you’re after a step-by-step plan, a cheat sheet for growing chemical-free, or even my mini lawn care masterclass, they’re waiting to make gardening easier, lighter, and a whole lot more fun.

And if you’ve got a harvest story of your own — tag me at The Messed-Up Gardener! I’d love to celebrate your wins right alongside you.

🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden!

🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week—and I’ll buzz you later.

PS: If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat! 

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The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms 

Or Grab 

·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   

Freebies: Grab the 

-         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden 

-         https://stan.store/EstherA 

-         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA

-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now

-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherA

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.