Harvest Techniques
Bunched greens, including collards/kale/chard get harvested this way
Snap off the outermost leaves of the plant with your fingers
When harvesting collards, bring this tool/equipment with you
What is the first step in preparing wash/pack?
Scrub and wash the sinks and tables with soap and water
How long should we let crops sit in the Sanidate?
Ideally at least 10 minutes! The longer the better.
Loose greens such as arugula or lettuce mix get harvested this way
"Haircut" technique - cutting the greens 2-3" above the base of the plant
When harvesting loose greens, bring this tool with you
What is a machete?
Explain the steps when processing a bunch of kale at wash/pack
- remove any yellow or bad leaves
- slice ends of bunch evenly (leaving enough stem)
- dunk cut bunches in tub of water/sanidate
- let sit for 10+ minutes
- shake off bunch and gently place in clean bin to be brought over to farm stand
What is the approximate ratio of Sanidate to water for our sinks?
2 tablespoons of Sanidate per gallon of water
Root vegetables, like carrots, radishes, and turnips, are harvested this way
Pulled entirely out of the ground with the greens attached
All of the tools and equipment needed in the field to harvest kale are...
- trug bucket
- rubber bands
- harvest bin
Explain the steps in processing arugula at wash/pack
- ensure that recordkeeping data is written on the dry erase board
- remove any yellow or bad leaves
- soak the leaves in the sink with water/sanidate for 10+ min
- spin in batches in the salad spinner until mostly dry
- transfer spun arugula into cleaned harvest bin to hold for farm stand
What two reasons would indicate that the sink water needs to be changed?
1) the water is warm/hot
2) the water is so dirty that you cannot see your hand when it is in the sink
Fruiting crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, and peppers are harvested this way
All of the tools and equipment needed in the field to harvest bok choy are...
- Trug bucket
- Harvest bin
- Machete or pruners
Explain the steps in processing sage at wash/pack
- ensure recordkeeping data is filled out on the dry erase board
- remove any yellow or bad leaves
- cut ends evenly
- do NOT put in water
- stack nicely in a bin for farm stand
How should we process the crops after they have been soaking in Sanidate?
Shake off excess water but allow the bunch to air dry. Do not rinse with water.
Head crops, like lettuce, cabbage, and bok choy, are all harvested this way
Slice or cut at the base of the crop at the soil surface, leaving the roots in the soil
All of the tools and equipment needed to harvest cucumbers are...
- Trug bucket
- Harvest bin
- Pruners or scissors
What materials, tools, and/or equipment should be at the wash/pack station?
- Trug bucket
- Sanidate
- Sink stoppers
- Machete or harvest knife
- Scissors or pruners
- Scrub brush
How would you respond to a resident who asks whether our produce is "safe"?
- Growing in clean soil, not native soil
- Harvesting with clean tools and equipment
- Processing with food safe sanitizer
- Still recommend to wash produce at home before eating