Ace Of Spades

Inspect leaves weekly for small yellow spots that expand into brown/gray patches, or for a faint gray-purple fuzz on the underside—these are common signs of downy mildew/leaf spot. Improve airflow by spacing plants as directed and removing the most affected leaves; avoid overhead watering and water at the soil line in the morning. If the problem spreads, apply a labeled fungicide for vegetable leaf diseases and repeat according to the label schedule (especially after humid/rainy days).

Start checking at ~90 days by looking at the plant’s maturity: harvest when the foliage begins to yellow and the plants look fully formed rather than still actively stretching. If your crop is grown for edible bulbs/roots, harvest when the bulb/roots have reached full size and the outer skin is developed; avoid waiting until stems fully collapse and split. For best quality, harvest on a dry day and cure/handle gently to prevent bruising.