Is it ok to leave mature fruit/veg on the plant?

[PrideRavyn]

I've got quite a lot of peas and various other bits that are ready to eat but I'm not ready to eat them! Is it ok to leave them on the plant, or does it stop the plant making more? I have been taking leaves off the spinach because to be honest, they were getting so big they were covering up other things, and I am also going to have to eat some of my pak choi very soon as it's bolted in the last day, but things like peas etc I'd like to save up for a proper meal

[tamsin]

It depends on what it is. Something's will keep longer on the plant than others, but there is a limit. For example your peas will turn from tasty to icky as the plant converts them to seeds ready to grow. You can pick things and preserve them - eg freeze or refrigerate. As you mention picking the fruit also encourages the plant to produce more.

[BigShot]

I'd pick off the most mature pods and eat the peas there and then. Beautiful!
There's the risk that if things mature on the plant it will shut down production. As long as it's still in season, keep harvesting so the plant will keep producing.

[Jeanied]

This is probably my worst habit on the allotment, PR - I notice stuff is ready to harvest and I think to myself, I'll pick that next time. By the time I go down again stuff has either gone over, or been nicked. That has just happened to my biggest, best head of garlic that I have ever grown.

[Two_Sheds]

I've got quite a lot of peas and various other bits that are ready to eat but I'm not ready to eat them!

I don't understand? I haven't eaten a fresh pea for 11 months, I can't wait to eat them.
I organise my meals around what's ready, not "what I fancy", so it's mostly salads & stir fries (with meat on for OH).
If you really have a glut, you can freeze them, but you must keep picking

[Patchninja]

You can get special veggie bags in the supermarket that really help to keep stuff fresh. I pick my mangetout peas when they're quite small and put them in a bag and after 2 or 3 days, we've got enough to eat.
I don't understand too much either...... why aren't you ready to eat them?

[Florence Fennel]

Can't you harvest the spinach, blanch & freeze it? The peas need to be picked or you'll end up with hard, tasteless marbles!

[zazen999]

The good thing with peas is you can eat them straight off the plant - if you do leave them on they will go harder and stop the plant producing.

I'm with Two-sheds - I can't wait for fresh peas off the plant; it's been a long cold winter and by now I'd be having warm potato and pea/bean salads by now but we're still waiting.

What I usually do is to pick it all and then decide what I'm cooking...not the other way round.

[Nicos]

I have a few small bags in the freezer and top them up on a daily basis if there's only a small crop ready.
Peas, rasps, blueberries, blackcurrants for eg until there is enough to make a reasonable helping.

( I too am a pea nibbler and they seldom reach the kitchen)

In fact I think there may be a few rasps in the freezer still!
Hmm....

Things like asparagus will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 days once picked and still taste yummy.( if they get that far!)

[Suky]

You can get special veggie bags in the supermarket that really help to keep stuff fresh.

Lakeland do a great veggie keeper bag and stuff really does last a lot longer.
We have been known to have meals where we get 6 peas and 4 beans each just 'cos they are the first That is not including the ones I have eaten as I garden

I am with the above, see what's ready to eat then decide what to cook.

[Flummery]

As pea pods mature they convert the sugars in the peas to starch so you don't get as subtle and sweet a flavour. You also prevent more flowers from coming. The plant needs to set seeds for future years so it will keep pushing out flowers when the pods are picked, to ensure it can reproduce.

[PrideRavyn]

You all have to bear in mind that this is the first year that I've grown *anything*, so I'm not yet as experienced as all of you seasoned growers at planning meals by what I have ready - up until about a month ago, I planned my meals on a thursday night when I did the weekly shop, and that's what I had in the fridge. I'm not asking with the intention of leaving the stuff on the plants for days on end, I have already eaten some peas straight from the plant, and could continue doing so, but since there are 5 mouths to feed in this house it's not quite as simple as pulling off the few that are ready, ideally I need to be able to save them up somehow so I can feed at least a few of us, not just eat them myself sitting by the plant - so thanks to those of you who were kind enough to offer me tips on preserving them, that's probably the best option. The salad leaves and the spinach are not a problem, if I have too much and it doesn't all get eaten, it goes to the pets.

[BigShot]

PR - I think you've got the impression people were having a dig at you.
I think it should read as "just tuck in" with a friendly smile.

The reason I said "eat there and then" was just to suggest getting the "ready" things off the plant to keep it in production and then do a proper harvest when ready to pick them for a meal.

Sorry if it came across as condescending, it really wasn't intended that way.

For the record, I'm in the same boat with getting used to making meals depending on what's available rather than planning a week ahead and buying stuff in so you're not alone there. Seasonal and fresh eating does take some getting used to and I'm still a bit overwhelmed with it all. I've got things coming up to harvest and all I can think is "what on earth am I going to do with that?

We'll get there though.

[PrideRavyn]

BigShot - don't worry, you weren't condescending - if I could get away with eating everything I grow myself whilst sitting in the garden, I really would, however there's a level of expectation from inside the house that at some point I'll give them vegetables at every meal, so I have to restrain myself! The only exception to this might be the strawberries, which the kids can go through an entire tub of in half an hour, I'll be eating those in secret!

[BigShot]

Good.
I think your solution is staring you in the face... if they expect veg, tell them to go an pick their own. Less work for you, no worry about the plant shutting down production and no washing up after the meal!