Assalam o Alaikum dear Steemians!

I am @hudamalik20 from Pakistan. I am happy to participate in this beautiful contest that focuses on the harvest season in our local areas. In our family, we are directly connected to farming.

We have our own farmhouse, where my father takes care of many vegetables and fruits with the help of a worker. So, I have seen how harvesting works closely since my childhood.

Now that it's late July, I want to share what I’m currently observing around me , both at home and in the local markets.

How do you know when a product is in harvest season?

I usually know something is in harvest season from two places our farmhouse and the local market. At home, my father brings fresh vegetables like lady finger (bhindi) and kaddu (bottle gourd) directly from our fields. That’s a clear sign that harvesting is happening. Sometimes, he even sends some to our neighbors, so it becomes obvious that this is the season.

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In the markets, when I see a particular fruit or vegetable in large quantity at lower prices, it also shows that it's in season. For example, nowadays I see bananas, lemons, and green apples everywhere, which tells me they are being harvested in bulk.

What factors can influence harvest time?

When a crop is ready for harvest depends on a number of factors, including:

1. Climate and temperature: Summer vegetables grow more quickly in hot weather.

2. Water supply and irrigation: Appropriate watering influences the crop's rate of maturity.

3. Soil quality: Crops thrive in healthy soil.

1. Planting time and crop variety: While some fruits grow quickly, others take months.

2. Farmer's care: The process can be accelerated with routine maintenance and pest protection.

We always watch these things in our farmhouse. Because of his experience, my father can tell when to harvest a plant based only on its size, color, and freshness.

What fruits are currently being harvested in your community?

Right now, in late July, I can clearly see these fruits being harvested in my area:

Bananas – They are everywhere in the market.

Green Apples – They are fresh, shiny, and available in huge quantity.

Lemons – I have never seen lemons this cheap before.

Guava (Amrood) – In Sargodha, we grow many varieties of guava, and some are harvested almost all year round.

These fruits are fresh and easily available nowadays, which makes them popular among people.

Can these harvested products be sold at the same price as when they are not in harvest season?

No, not at all. There is always a clear difference in the price of fruits and vegetables during their harvest season and when they are not in season. The prices usually drop a lot during the harvest season because the supply in the market increases and the items become more easily available everywhere, from local shops to fruit carts.

Let me give you an example from what I’m currently observing here in Sargodha. These days, lemons are so cheap that they’re being sold for the lowest prices of the entire year. A few months ago, lemons were considered expensive, and even people used to buy only in small amounts.

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But now, because they’re in season, we can get a big bag at a very affordable price. The shopkeepers themselves say that the supply is high, so the rates are down.

The same thing is happening with bananas. I can see them in every corner of the city, on fruit carts, in shops, and even being sold in baskets on bicycles. Their price is also very low compared to before.

Since the harvest season is in full swing, bananas are available in large quantity and people are buying more because they’re fresh and budget friendly.

Another good example is guava (amrood). In Sargodha, guavas are almost available throughout the year because we grow different varieties. But the price still varies depending on whether it is peak harvest season or not.

During the harvest, the fruit is not only fresher but also much more affordable. In off season months, you’ll only find stored guavas or ones transported from far places, and those are more expensive and sometimes less tasty.

Even green apples, which are available now in many fruit shops in Sargodha, are being sold at better rates than they were a few months ago. When fruits are out of season, they’re often stored using cold storage, or imported, which increases the cost. But during harvest season, prices go down and everyone can enjoy fresh fruit at lower prices.

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Cc: @edgargonzalez
That's it from today’s blog. I hope you liked it. With best wishes. Now I would like to invite:
@neelofer, @norat, and @mannatnawaz to participate in this amazing contest.

Thanks a lot for reading.

Regards: @hudamalik20