Harvesting Tools That You Can Buy or Create
Quick access to tools is important when calls arrive about gleaning opportunities. Storing tools in a designated gleaning vehicle is convenient, but typically multiple vehicles are used during a harvest season. The solution is storing large tools neatly elsewhere so they can easily be reached and transferred to the “gleaning” vehicle, along with baskets or crates, ready for the trip to orchard or fields. Meanwhile, keep a basket or caddy in your personal vehicle filled with essential paperwork, plastic gloves, sanitary wipes, sunscreen, water bottles, harvesting knives and large plastic bags.
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HARVESTING BAG: A canvas bag carried across the shoulder creates a pouch to insert corn or other veggies while working the rows. You can purchase bags or make your own. Cut the handles off a large canvas shopping bag. Measure from your lower back, over your shoulder to your front waist. Cut an old belt or a strip of canvas to this length. Sew this shoulder strap on either side of the bag opening. The bag is now ready for wearing.
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BERRY HARVESTER: A plastic gallon ice cream container with a neck loop is about the right size for picking berries. Attach the loop so it hangs around the neck and the container is about waist height for easy access. For a picking container that will hang from the waist or a belt loop, cut parts of a plastic bleach bottle away to make a handle. Cut a semi-circle from the upper part of the bottle opposite the handle. Berries will go in through this opening. (See berry harvester directions)
Purchased Tools
A variety of tools can be purchased to make harvesting easier. Forinstance, a straight tine fork goes don into clay soils to avoid piercing root vegetables while digging. Serrated harvesting knives saw through stems without excessive pressure, which reduces the risk of cuts from sharp, straight blades. Short knives are best for lettuce and longer ones for cabbage and other veggies with thick stalks. Picking tools on poles for tree fruits, bag-type and claw-type, can be purchases either online or from local farm supply tools.
Other Tips
CREATE MICRO-CLIMATE STORAGE: Try to deliver produce to food banks and hot meal programs quickly after harvest as it preserves vitamins, minerals and texture. But sometimes leafy greens must be held and they are fragile. Agricultural researchers have discovered that storing lettuce and other leafy veggies in large plastic bags preserves freshness in the cooler. The bag creates a micro-climate to reduce the dehydration caused by refrigeration that results in wilt.
