When you've worked hard all season, there's nothing more disheartening than an unproductive harvest. While it may seem difficult to increase your yield or the garden may feel like a lost cause, there are several different things to do for a better harvest.

While gardening takes time, you deserve to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor. And while it's a labor of love, technique and skill can bring your harvest from a small batch to something bigger and better than ever. From details on how to choose high-yield plants to proper harvesting techniques, you'll find all the best tips and tricks below.

Extend the Growing Season

Seedlings in containers

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Preparation is key to increasing your harvest. To prep your garden for the upcoming year, give yourself a head start by extending the growing season. Begin planting indoors or in a greenhouse during the cooler months, and transplant them to your garden once the weather warms up. You can also apply row covers to keep plants alive later into the fall.

Your plants will have more time to develop and grow, which will in turn increase the length of the harvesting season. So, say goodbye to waiting time between seasons and hello to delicious fruits and vegetables!

Compost

Composting

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Composting offers many benefits to your garden because it adds nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium into the soil. This should help your fruit and vegetable plants grow and develop more high-quality produce.

You can also easily make your own compost and add it to your garden, making this a simple and effective way to improve your harvest.

Prune

Woman pruning tomato plant

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Pruning is simple seasonal maintenance for most vegetable and fruit plants and trees, though it boasts many benefits. While the process controls the size of your plants, it also stimulates growth and improves the quality of the yield. While the tree or plant may become smaller in size, the fruits and vegetables should be larger, healthier, and more delicious.

Whether you've got tomato plants or apple trees, pruning will remove excess leaves, dead foliage, and underdeveloped fruit, allowing the plants to focus on producing higher quality fruits and vegetables.

Harvest Regularly

vegetables in small space

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It's no secret that you should harvest fruits and vegetables when they are ripe. Continuing to pick your strawberries, basil, cucumbers, as well as other fruits and vegetables throughout the season will benefit the plant.

Harvesting regularly can improve plant productivity, though the frequency and method will depend on what you are harvesting. Whatever your schedule, keep it up throughout the season to encourage new growth and enjoy your crops when they're ripe.

Watch for Pests

The seedlings of the long bean are growing. As hands of the farmers are using a magnifying glass to check the area of the seedlings.

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If you want your plants to do their best, keep an eye out for common pests. From cucumber beetles to earwigs and aphids, there are several things to watch out for. Thankfully, there are several organic ways to handle pests and even plants that will prevent them. Also, consider building a fence around your garden to keep deer and other animals away.

Remember that beneficial insects and pollinators can protect your garden by feeding on pests and pollinating the plants.

Choose High Yield Plants

Collection basket of high yield plants

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Though it may seem obvious, choosing high-yield fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure you have a great harvest. High-yield foods include beans, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and squash. Also, consider how long the fruits and vegetables need to grow before harvest, how long the harvesting season is, and how they will survive in the conditions you can provide (more on that later). These factors will contribute to how much produce you can harvest.

Another great thing about high-yield fruits and veggies is that they are often cost-effective and easy to grow from scraps! With all that in mind, it's always important to choose fruits and vegetables you will enjoy so they don't go to waste!

Provide the Proper Care

Urban gardening: Watering fresh vegetables and herbs on fruitful soil in the own garden, raised bed.

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Proper lighting, watering techniques, and soil conditions can go a long way when it comes to bettering your harvest. If your plot of land has infertile soil or drains poorly, consider installing a garden bed. This way, you can use high-quality, well-draining soil and control the watering schedule better.

Also, remember to consider the needs of different plants and group together those that require the same conditions. Be sure to place them where they will receive the required lighting and pay attention to often they need watering. This will help the plants continue to grow and produce fruits and vegetables.

Ready, Set, Harvest!

When it comes to improving your harvest, there are plenty of ways to work smarter, not harder! Paying attention to the needs of your plants and properly caring for them - alongside techniques such as extending the growing season, composting, and pruning - can help your plants grow and produce throughout the season.

Will you be trying out any of these tips to improve your yield this year? Share in the comments below!