Is Your Harvest Getting Away From You?

It’s happened. Even though I write about not getting overwhelmed and preparing, the amount of food is getting to be a little much.

A basket of tomatoes I meant to process two days ago. A bag of something in the freezer labeled “sort later.” A jar of half-finished pickling brine sitting next to the stove like it’s asking a question I don’t want to answer.

If that sounds familiar, here’s the honest question: is your harvest still something you’re managing, or has it quietly become something that’s managing you?

This isn’t about guilt. Every grower hits this point: it means the garden is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. The problem isn’t that you have too much. The problem is not having a system for when “too much” arrives. So let’s build one.

• You can’t say what’s in your freezer without opening it and digging. A full freezer should feel like a resource, not a mystery box.

• You’re avoiding a specific spot in your kitchen. If there’s a counter, a bowl, or a corner you’ve started routing around, that’s the tell.

• You’ve started apologizing to your produce. (”I’m sorry, tomatoes, I’ll get to you.”) If you’re negotiating with vegetables, it’s time for a system, not more willpower.

None of these are failures. They’re just data telling you the current approach isn’t holding up against this season’s volume.

When it’s gotten away from you, don’t try to “catch up” in one heroic day. Start by giving yourself a pass and then approach the harvest in a few actionable steps. This has what’s worked for me in the past.