Urban Abundance Winter Harvest How-To Guide (2025/26)
Your Green Thumb Companion for Peak Flavor & Perfect Timing
Welcome to your step-by-step guide to harvesting every crop from the official Urban Abundance Winter Crop List. Aligned with our seasonal rhythms, regenerative methods, and Farmer Jack’s Masterclass, this guide ensures you’re snipping, pulling, and plucking at just the right time. Let’s cultivate that cool-season abundance!
🥬 Cool-Season Greens
Arugula, Mizuna, Lettuces, Salad Mix
🕒 Days from seed: 21–35 days
Harvest when leaves are 3-6”. Cut above the crown with clean shears. Regrows for 2-3 more rounds depending on the crop
Pro Tip: Morning harvest = peak crispness. If you miss the cut at 40 days, they will bolt and go to seed.
Kale, Collards
🕒 Days from seed: 50–70 days
Pick outer leaves when 8-12” tall. Leave center growth intact.
Pro Tip: Frost sweetens the leaves—they get better with chill. Harvest some every week to encourage new growth.
Mustard Greens
🕒 Days from seed: 45–60 days
Snip outer leaves like kale and collards
Pro Tip: Harvest them younger for mild flavor
Bok Choy, Chi Jimi Sai
🕒 Days from seed: 30–50 days
Harvest full heads or outer leaves at 6-10” tall.
Pro Tip: Watch for bolting during warm spells.
Swiss Chard
🕒 Days from seed: 50–60 days
Cut outer stalks at the base when 8-12”. Avoid damaging the crown.
Pro Tip: Harvest some every week to encourage new growth.
Celery
🕒 Days from seed: 85–100 days
Harvest when stalks are full-sized (10-12”), cut the outer stalks so it continues to put on new growth throughout the rest of the season. If you harvest the whole head, it’s another 3-4 months before harvest. When you cut stalks, it’s only another 10-14 days!
Pro Tip: Water deeply before harvest for juicier crunch.
Radicchio
🕒 Days from seed: 45–60 days
Snip outer leaves or cut whole heads at maturity.
French Sorrel
🕒 Days from seed: 45–60 days
Snip outer leaves (almost like parsley) and it will regenerate more harvest
Pro Tip: Sorrel is always best before flowering.
🥕 Roots with Depth
Radishes, Beets
🕒 Days from seed: 21–70 days (varies by type)
Ready when tops are 1” or more across and starting to protrude from the soil. Gently loosen soil and pull them out. If you wait too long, they will get “pithy” and no longer good to eat. Most are ready in a month depending on the time of year. Radishes are one of the quickest harvests!
Pro Tip: Taste one to check sweetness and texture before full harvest.
Carrots
🕒 Days from seed: 80–120 days (varies by type)
Ready when tops are 1” or more across and starting to protrude from the soil. Gently loosen soil and pull them out. Harvest them when they are just right and preferably before the summer heat shows up.
Pro Tip: Taste one to check sweetness and texture before full harvest.
Onions
🕒 Days from seed: 100–120+ days
Harvest when tops flop over and brown. Cure in shade for 1–2 weeks.
Pro Tip: Pull on a dry day to prevent rot.
We don’t grow Shallots.
🥦 Brassicas & Cabbage Family
Broccoli
🕒 Days from seed: 65–100 days
Harvest main head when tight and 4-8” across. Side shoots follow.
Pro Tip: Don’t yank the plant—secondary florets are a bonus!
Cauliflower
🕒 Days from seed: 75–100 days
Cut heads when compact and white (6-8”), before curds loosen.
Pro Tip: Tie outer leaves over head to blanch for tenderness.
Cabbage, Napa Cabbage
🕒 Days from seed: 70–90 days
Ready when heads feel firm and solid. Cut at base with a clean blade.
Pro Tip: Small side heads may regrow after harvest, but most people replant.
🌶️ Fruit & Pod Veggies
Tomatoes (All Varieties)
🕒 Days from seed: 60–90+ days
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
Pro Tip: Try not to bump off the other flowers when you harvest. Those will become new fruits!
Peppers (All Varieties – Hot and Sweet)
🕒 Days from seed: 60–90 days
Snip when firm and full-sized. Don’t pull — always use shears.
Pro Tip: Color = Flavor maturity. Red/yellow/orange is always sweeter. So make sure you know what variety you have and when to pick!
Eggplant
🕒 Days from seed: 60–85 days
Glossy skin = go time! Cut with pruners when 4-8” depending on variety.
Pro Tip: Dull skin = bitter. Harvest early and often. If they are yellow, you are waiting too long to harvest.
Bush Beans
🕒 Days from seed: 45–60 days
Pick beans when firm, not bulging. If they are bulging, you are waiting too long.
Pro Tip: Daily checks boost yield and tenderness.
Okra
🕒 Days from seed: 45–60 days
Harvest okra at 3–4” max.
Pro Tip: Daily checks boost yield and tenderness.
🌿 Herbs for the Cool Season
Snip-as-you-go: Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Chives, Mint, Lemon Balm
🕒 Days from seed: 30–60 days
Clip outer stems regularly with clean scissors. Never harvest more than 1/3 at once.
Potential Perennials: Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Tarragon, Marjoram, Rosemary
🕒 Days from seed: 60–90 days
Trim up to 50% for these for bushier growth and bigger harvests. Don’t cut too low where it will not sprout back, always leave on some green growth after the harvest.
Basil Varieties (Thai, African Blue, Holy)
🕒 Days from seed: 60–75 days
Pinch flowers often. Harvest top 4-6” for fresh bouquets of flavor.
Pro Tip: Remove flower buds promptly and then harvest sprigs of leaves when ready. Trim up to 50% for these for bushier growth and bigger harvests. Don’t cut too low where it will not sprout back, always leave on some green growth after the harvest.
🌸 Flowers & Beneficials
Harvest For Beauty & Healing: Calendula, Borage, Yarrow, Marigolds, Coreopsis, Gomphrena, Gaillardia, Salvia, Echinaceae
🕒 Days from seed: 50–90 days
Snip fresh blooms early in the day. “Deadhead” when necessary to extend the blooming season! – which is basically cutting the old flower heads to promote new flowers and resurgence of life for the plant.
Pro Tip: Use floral snips. Harvest with a shaded basket.
🟡 Wild Cards: Worth a Shot
Cucumbers, Large Tomatoes, Pumpkins
🕒 Days from seed: 60–100+ days (unpredictable in winter)
Monitor daily. Pick at peak size/color. Results vary with South Florida weather.
Pro Tip: Provide wind protection and warm microclimates.