Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
In this collegiate-style, two-week summer session, teen artists will learn from industry experts in a combination of acting and musical theatre training, rehearsal, and performance. Daily classes in acting, movement, and music will challenge students to explore the nuances of theatre technique and provide a framework for approaching songs, scenes, and monologues, developed and performed in an original revue at the end of the two weeks. This session is ideal for students who are passionate about theatre, excited to collaborate in a pre-professional environment with peers and industry experts, and looking to grow and develop as artists. Space is limited.
(2021 high school graduates are welcome)
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19
Global Arts for rising 1st through 6th graders! A variety of LEAF Teaching Artists bring to life theatre, music, dance, and art. Living each day like a festival.
Music Explorations is a great way for young beginners to explore music, sound, rhythm, and various instruments in a fun and encouraging group setting. We will be taking a journey around the world to discover the music of diverse cultures and regions. Children will get to dance and move, experiment with various instruments, sing tunes, and experiment with their own music-making. Music Explorations is led by instructors with vast experience in early childhood music education, including Kindermusik, and will encourage social skills and group interactions, develop aural and visual skills, and foster a love of music in your child.
These can be done together or separate. $175/camp or $300 for both
Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)
Princesses
Students in grades 1-6
Princesses will take place in the morning from 9am – Noon. Performances will take place at 12pm on Friday
This camp is for those wanting to explore the inner workings of the princesses.
Take a ride with Jasmine on a magic carpet and befriend her tiger pet. Explore with Ariel under the sea, finding gadgets and gizmos galore while maybe kinda shirking some princess responsibilities or explore uncharted territory with Moana. Find out just what kind of princess YOU are, and how you want to run YOUR kingdom!
Villains
Students in grades 1-6
Villains will take place from 12:30pm – 3:30pm. Performances will take place at 3:30pm on Friday
This camp is for those wanting to explore the inner workings of the princesses and/or their so-called villains.
Villains… are they really all THAT bad? There’s always another side to the story. Why did Ursula really steal Ariel’s voice? Did Jafar have the keen mind for details necessary to be a better leader than the absent-minded Sultan? Was Gaston really just trying to protect his neighbors from a seemingly reclusive, moody, beast-type monster? Let’s explore the other side of the story and our imaginations, and see what things look like from the other side.
Portraiture in Painting and Drawing: Students explore a range of drawing and painting methods to create portraits. Working from photographic references, students examine the relationship between line, value, color, space, form, and the source of light to expand rendering techniques and personal vision.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Peggy Bacon, Model in Bellows’ Class (Art Students League, NYC), 1918, drypoint on paper, sheet: 6 ½ × 8 ½ inches. Museum purchase with funds provided by 2011 Collectors’ Circle member Frances Myers, 2011.39.69. © Estate of Peggy Bacon.
Tanglewood Summer Camp
Tanglewood Youth Theatre has long been a successful and inspirational part of children’s creative education in Western North Carolina. Our theatre camp has been extremely popular and is well-suited for any young person interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre. Our faculty represents some of the finest talent in the area, and we are thrilled to have them at Tanglewood.
For each session, classes include acting, music, movement, film, and design. Each session ends with a showcase for family and friends!
For ages 8-13:
All camp sessions will meet 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Each session will enroll up to 30 students total split into 3 groups of 10 students. Masks will be required. This summer, there will not be a final showcase for an audience of family and friends. Tuition: $275 / Scholarships available.
Brunch B’Yahad is now available through Zoom meeting here.
Join new and old friends for light brunch, socialization and lively discussion. Featured guest speakers, and relevant cultural and timely topics will fill our minds.
“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!
Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.
Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and a specialty boxed lunch. During the month of October. 9am and 2pm departures. 9am will feature the option of a delicious Sausage & Bacon Quiche or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole. The 2pm departure will be serving the popular BBQ meal.
| Diesel | $109.00 ($114.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Steam | $119.00 ($126.00 October) | Not Permitted |
| Locomotive | Adult (21+ Only) | Under 21 |
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How to Purchase
You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call.
As part of the YWCA’s commitment to eliminating racism, we have launched a weekly virtual Social Justice Hangout Hour hosted by Tre Williams, YWCA Racial Justice Advocate + RJC Member. These Friday gatherings, from noon to 1 pm, serve as a space to discuss relevant topics, raise awareness around racial equity and justice, engage with community members, meet local leaders in the freedom struggle, and just vibe.
Click the button below to attend on Fridays between noon and 1 pm or join via Facebook. ATTEND THE HANGOUT
These can be done together or separate. $175/camp or $300 for both
Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)
Princesses
Students in grades 1-6
Princesses will take place in the morning from 9am – Noon. Performances will take place at 12pm on Friday
This camp is for those wanting to explore the inner workings of the princesses.
Take a ride with Jasmine on a magic carpet and befriend her tiger pet. Explore with Ariel under the sea, finding gadgets and gizmos galore while maybe kinda shirking some princess responsibilities or explore uncharted territory with Moana. Find out just what kind of princess YOU are, and how you want to run YOUR kingdom!
Villains
Students in grades 1-6
Villains will take place from 12:30pm – 3:30pm. Performances will take place at 3:30pm on Friday
This camp is for those wanting to explore the inner workings of the princesses and/or their so-called villains.
Villains… are they really all THAT bad? There’s always another side to the story. Why did Ursula really steal Ariel’s voice? Did Jafar have the keen mind for details necessary to be a better leader than the absent-minded Sultan? Was Gaston really just trying to protect his neighbors from a seemingly reclusive, moody, beast-type monster? Let’s explore the other side of the story and our imaginations, and see what things look like from the other side.
Spend the afternoon playing fiddle tunes! Learn to comp harmonies while your neighbor takes a turn on the melody. We will learn & jam with classic Appalachian and Celtic fiddle tunes and cross over to other American styles of the fiddling tradition including blues and ragtime, establishing roots of musical joy that will last a lifetime.
Students must have a minimum of one month of prior experience. Lessons available.
Mixed-Media Collage: This class focuses on the art of collage with mixed-media applications. Students explore a range of media applications and processes throughout the week and stretch their creativity to combine multiple techniques into finished artworks.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
James Rosenquist, Mirrored Flag, 1971, color lithograph with Mylar foil on paper, edition 17/70, publisher: Graphicstudio, University of South Florida, Tampa, 29 × 22 1/4 inches. Museum purchase, 2013.23.60. © Estate of James Rosenquist / licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
Mon-Fri from 2-5pm. You have access to high speed internet, work space and HALF-OFF pastries when you present your college ID.
Peer Support
Group meetings: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Please contact us for individual services at 828.388.7979, Option #2
Through the “lived-experience” of our peer support specialists, we will assist, encourage, empower and advocate with others on their journey to finding their own path to recovery. Recovery is possible but is not meant to do alone. We do recover together.
About Hope Coalition
Hope Coalition is a grassroots effort initiated by the Henderson County Partnership for Health in 2013 as a community collaborative to educate, evaluate, and implement evidence-based models on substance misuse and underage drinking in Henderson County by building capacity and creating long-term and sustainable plans that are action-oriented and focus on community level change.
Acoustic Syndicate
Since 1994, Acoustic Syndicate’s unique blend of bluegrass instruments, rock sensibilities, and conscious songwriting has inspired a generation of musicians. Through 7 albums, thousands of performances, and tens-of-thousands of miles, Acoustic Syndicate has long been heralded as one of the important influences on the modern roots-music revival.
Joe Lasher
Drawing inspiration from icons such as Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Jon Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams, Joe’s music is influenced by a variety of genres ranging from traditional country to gospel and from rock to heavy metal, creating a sound that is all his own. Joe has been touring the country since the age of 16, where he is focused on creating a full-sensory show filled with big sound and bright lights giving his audience a reason to sing and dance.
Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens and experience our Wild Art outdoor sculpture showcase in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through October 1, 2021, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. ArborEvenings are not scheduled on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6, September 3 and 10.
There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.
Please note: ArborEvenings will not be held in the event of rain. Please check the website or Facebook page by 3 p.m. for any cancellation announcements prior to attending.
Beverage Service
Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.
Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome
Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, we are pleased to share that they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order this year! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)
Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Musician Schedule
Please note, scheduled performances are subject to change.
- Thursday 7/8 – Juan Holiday (R&B/Soul) will play from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. & Jackson Grimm (Folk/Bluegrass) will play from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.
- Friday 7/9 – No Event
- Thursday 7/15 – Liz & Elizabeth (Folk/Americana) will play from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Friday 7/16 – Kevin Williams (Country/Americana) will play from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. & Steve Newbrough (Classical/Fingerstyle Guitar) will play from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.Click here for the full schedule.
Know Before You Go
- Parking fees will be collected at the gate upon arrival, and members must present valid card for free entry. Pre-registration is not required.
- Restroom access will be available during ArborEvenings inside the Baker Visitor Center.
- Guests are invited to explore A Life in the Wild, a breathtaking exhibition of photographs from Thomas D. Mangelsen; however, food and drink are not permitted inside the Exhibit Hall.
- Leashed dogs are welcome at ArborEvenings, but are not permitted inside of buildings.
- To protect our lawn, blankets are not permitted at the event; however, guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs to set up in front of the musicians.
- Due to existing event bookings, ArborEvenings will not take place on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6 and September 3 and 10.
Ages Past, a bluegrass band best known for their powerful sound, original songwriting, and “traditional with a twist” style, has reunited after 25 years to bring you all-new music. Original band members Randy Gallion and Tony Williamson have joined forces with veteran musicians Jaime Carter, Chad Day, and Savannah Reed to form the new group.
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Advanced Reservations are highly recommended.
The trajectory of Bumpin Uglies started over a decade ago, making music with friends, playing backyard parties and anywhere else they could get a gig. For Brandon Hardesty, lead vocals and guitar, it was a simple time, but one that taught him lessons that stay with him today as he leads the band into the 2020s. One was that he would do whatever it took for him and his band to be successful. Another was in discovering that doing it his way was the only way, which still applies today. Bumpin Uglies do things their way, free to play, think, and write however they feel, critics and the mainstream music industry be damned.
In the early days, Hardesty was hustling waiting tables while stoking his musical fire with every minute of free time he had. A point came years ago when he knew it was time to put up or shut up if he was going to make a career as a musician, so he dug into doing all of the things it takes to grow Bumpin Uglies from a grassroots local band into a nationally touring act. It took a tireless DIY ethic; and it still does, but if Brandon did not have the singular focus on breaking through and achieving his musical dreams, the story of Bumpin Uglies wouldn’t be what it is today.
Bumpin Uglies are a band that have hoisted themselves up and forged their own path, but even as they look around at where they are, how far they have come, it is clear to them that there is so much more work to do and they continue to do it every day. With the help of bassist Dave “Wolfie” Wolf and drummer TJ Haslett, they are doing just that.
Bumpin Uglies recently came off the road, having to cancel their spring tour due to COVID-19. Brandon and the boys have been keeping their rabid fan group “Uglies Nation” entertained with full band live streams, hosting socially distant concerts and even a few Drive-In concerts until the world slowly gets back to a place where Bumpin Uglies can tour once again.
Fresh off the successful release of full length, “Keep your suitcase packed.”, they are in the midst of a new project called “The Never Ending Drop.” The concept is simple, yet groundbreaking..
“For the last ten years, we’ve been on what feels like the never-ending tour. So in a year where the tour is forced to stop, we decided to double down on the music making portion of our job description,” Hardesty explains. The band released their first single, “Fear,” in October and plans to release a single per month indefinitely on the second Friday of each month. Be sure to check out the new material on Spotify or wherever you stream music.
Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family-friendly seating will be available on this experience!
Departing from Bryson City at 7 pm, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and beyond remaining parallel to the Fontana Lake stopping at the perfect viewing spot just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9 pm.
In the Basket
Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with a hand-pulled pork slider, a couple of pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.
And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
A FREE book mailed to your child, every month!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book monthly to enrolled children ages 0-5. Do you live in Henderson County and have a child younger than 5? Register today and your child can receive a free book in the mail each month until his/her fifth birthday!
How Do I Enroll My Child?
Enrolling your child is easy! You can register your child electronically (click for online registration) or call us at 828-693-1580 and we will mail you a hard copy of the registration form to complete and return to us.
When does the first book arrive?
If you enroll your child in person, we will give your child his/her first book. If not, your child will begin receiving books through the U.S. Postal Services six-eight weeks after the registration form has been received. If you move, please contact Smart Start at 828-693-1580 to notify us of your change in address so your child can continue receiving books.
Is there ever a cost to me?
NO! Through the generous support of the NC General Assembly and donations and grants from individuals and businesses in our community, this is a FREE program.
Annual Survey
Annually, some parents will be asked to complete a short survey. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete. Results will be used to make sure the program is getting results for families. If asked, please consider completing the short questionnaire. Thank you!
Do you have questions about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Henderson County? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions here. If you still have questions, feel free to contact Smart Start Partnership for Children using the contact information below.
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| The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.
This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house. |
NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE
2021 THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL LITERARY AWARD
The Western North Carolina Historical Association is now accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family and now supported by Michael Sartisky, PhD, the Award is a partnership between WNCHA and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee. It has been presented by WNCHA since 1955. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.
The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 31, 2021. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:
- It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered for the Award.
- The publication date must be between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
- The author must be a native of western North Carolina or a resident of western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
- An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in western North Carolina.
Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Dee James, retired Director of the First-Year Writing Program at UNC Asheville; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Gordon McKinney, PhD, former president, Appalachian Studies Association; Terry Roberts, PhD, Director, National Paideia Center; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.
Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:
- date of publication
- birthplace or residence of author
- setting of work
Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work postmarked no later than July 31, 2021 to:
Wolfe Award Committee
℅ Anne Chesky Smith
WNC Historical Association
283 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2021 Award recipient, will be held in early December 2021.
The Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. The Award has continued to be funded, in part, by Mrs. E. Frank Edwin, a member of the Lipinsky family and for the last three years by WNCHA, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Board, both with support from Michael Sartisky, PhD. Other recipients of this prestigious Award include Robert Morgan, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wayne Caldwell, and Terry Roberts. Sandra Muse Isaacs was the recipient of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for her book: Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance.
A year-long program
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
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(In a Post Pandemic World)
Take Five and Earn a Certificate!
Online “Live” Instruction Offered each Spring and Fall
Each workshop offers 5.5 SHRM Recertification Credits
Certificate: $625
$159 to $199 per Workshop
Everything from managing remote employees to living in a world where the line has become blurred between what happens online and offline, means what worked last year could be ineffective in the coming years. Managers and supervisors need to learn how to adapt to a compromised economy and an up-and-coming workforce that’s progressively challenging the “status quo” for work ethics and work habits.
The construction of the Mountain Division of the Western North Carolina Railroad is widely considered one of the greatest human accomplishments in regards to both engineering and construction ever undertaken at the time it occurred. The project took place over a period of several years in the late 1800s. Many people are aware that the railroad provided the first dependable access to and from much of Western North Carolina for the rest of the state as well as much of the nation. Many also know the names of some of those who were instrumental in seeing through the completion of this ambitious project. Names such as Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews, of Andrews’ Geyser fame. However, what most people are unaware of is that at least 95% of the labor which built the railroad across the Blue Ridge Escarpment was completed by inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary… and approximately 98% of those inmates were African American men… the majority of whom were unjustly imprisoned…
This project was created to share the true story behind this human endeavor and to honor the memory of those who labored and those who died here.
Western North Carolina has a rich assortment of county historical societies, archives, and museums. The Western North Carolina Historical Association seeks to help researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public take full advantage of these resources.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
Your vegetable garden is likely approaching peak production time—but when and how to harvest? Even if you are a pro, here’s how to make sure those caring for your precious crops while you’re away know when to pick!
What matters about harvest time?
- Harvest stage affects flavor and yields:
- Picking too soon not only reduces the amount of food your garden produces but also may mean missing that perfectly ripened taste—although not all vegetables lose flavor after picking.
- Waiting too long definitely means missing the best flavor—think sweet corn turned starchy—and your produce actually spoils. Crops literally go to seed have accomplished their goal and will stop producing!
- Factors that affect harvest and storage.
- Warmer temperatures after picking can affect flavor—crops like peas and sweet corn that turn starchy, for example, need immediate cooling. Joseph Masabni of Texas A&M Extension, advises “harvest these vegetables early in the morning or right before you intend to use them.”
- Not all crops benefit from refrigeration, however! And humidity levels and air circulation are important, too! If you’re not going to use your bounty immediately, some crops, such as garlic, dry onions, potatoes, and tomatoes are best stored only at room temperature, according to UC-Davis Post Harvest Technology specialists (see below). They also recommend that cucumbers, eggplants, and peppers be refrigerated only for 1 to 3 days and then used as soon as you remove them from the cold.
- Advise those harvesting in your absence how often you check your crops, and which are most time-sensitive!
Things to look for when you harvest
Harvesting takes more time than you’d expect—look carefully for items to pick amongst all those leaves and vines. This makes harvesting a great time to give your garden plants a quick check-up!
- Size matters!
- Jokes abound about baseball-bat-size zucchini, but squash aren’t the only crops that can grow out of useful size.
- If you intend to eat fresh beans rather than saving them to use dry, the beans need to just start to fill out their pods.
These red noodle beans need picking!
- Color changes are usually important, too.
- Tomatoes turning red are an obvious example, but how red is the best time for picking? Maybe earlier than you think! Picking at the “breaker” stage rather than fully red means your tomatoes will continue to ripen indoors, taste vine-ripened, but won’t suffer sunscald, or damage from insects or birds.
Tomatoes will develop full flavor ripened indoors if picked once they begin to show some color. - Cucumbers should still be uniformly green, not starting to yellow.
Cucumbers are best picked green rather than starting to yellow. - Eggplants should be purple (light or dark depending on the variety), but still glossy, not dull
Pick eggplants while the skin is still glossy. - Watermelons, on the other hand, should develop a duller, rougher surface and the spot touching the ground should be yellowing, not white
Ripe watermelon skin should be starting to dull and roughen and the ground spot turning yellow. - .Detecting defects may mean removing fruits before they take any more resources from the plant—think blossom-end rot on tomatoes or peppers—or harvesting while part of the crop is still salvageable—such as a nip out of an otherwise healthy tomato.
- Damage may alert you to insect infestations—minimize or eliminate, by hand-picking the culprits—such as snails or slugs—or treating to prevent further damage—wash away aphids on greens or treating pickleworm infestations of cucumbers and squash with pesticides, for example. Learn which “bugs” you see are pests and which are helpful predators!
- Harvest “helpers” will be more eager to volunteer if they pick at the right time—and you won’t find all your tomatoes gone despite their size or plants loaded with overripe items bringing production to a halt. Alerting you to any emerging problems is another bonus.
- Tomatoes turning red are an obvious example, but how red is the best time for picking? Maybe earlier than you think! Picking at the “breaker” stage rather than fully red means your tomatoes will continue to ripen indoors, taste vine-ripened, but won’t suffer sunscald, or damage from insects or birds.
“Harvesting” spent plants?
While picking your crops pick off dead leaves, spent blossoms, and trim errant runners to keep plants looking good and productive. Knowledgeable helpers can perform these tasks.
In WNC, most vegetable garden plants are annuals, or treated as such, so when you harvest, evaluate when it’s time to pull the whole plant—it may be too risky to ask short-term caregivers to make this decision!
- Is the plant diseased? If there are signs of disease, either do what you can to remove diseased portions, treat the problem, or remove the entire plant.
- Is production slowing?
- Review fertilizing or watering practices to improve yields. Most crops need an inch of rain a week to prosper—water established plants deeply once a week if rains are insufficient. Check your crops’ needs for fertilizer and the application rates recommended for the fertilizers you are using.
- Extreme temperatures may interfere with fruit set or how your crops ripen. Be patient if better weather will solve the problem! Note, though, that spring crops that fade with high temperatures are long gone; so too, frosts will damage tender crops, so harvest these before freezing temperatures.
- Once you’ve decided your plants have passed peak production, pull the plants and consider planting a fall crop. See the calendar below for all the crops you can plant in August for a bountiful autumn harvest!
Article by Buncombe County Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers
For more information:
When to harvest specific crops: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/16-vegetable-gardening#vegetableharvestingguidelines
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/harvesting-handling-vegetables-garden/
Ripening after harvest:
https://gardenprofessors.com/ripening/
https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/vegetables/harvest-ripen-tomatoes.html
Storing produce:
http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/files/230110.pdf
Planting times for WNC:
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| Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts). |