Preventing these vegetable harvesting mistakes makes a happy harvest far more likely. But there are ways to accelerate ripening for better vegetable harvests as fall approaches. Focus a plant’s energies and remove anything too far from maturing to give crops near the finishing line the best chance, says Lucy. Move container gardening crops like peppers and tomatoes into direct sun and place them under glass at night for warmth. Remove foliage around crops like squash to accelerate ripening in the final weeks. Reduce water frequency to spur plants like toms into action as the season winds down. ‘Part-lifting ground crops also hastens maturity,’ says Lucy.