In the fourth and subsequent years, harvest may be extended to four or more weeks. Crowns may be easily damaged by the knife, so some people prefer to break off the spears at soil level. Eat asparagus immediately, or store them by immersing the cut ends in water and refrigerating. Once well established, this perennial vegetable can be harvested for a period 6-8 weeks each spring. Green beans indicate maturity by the smoothness and greenness of the pods.
Snap beans are ready to pick if they snap easily when bent in half.
Yellow beans varieties should also be picked before they appear corrugated. The tender inner leaves can be used for pot greens. Cut broccoli when the individual buds in the clusters are still tight. Once buds open, the broccoli has a stronger flavour. A second crop can be harvested for several additional weeks, consisting of side shoots that have 3-4 inches of stem.