Cracking the Code: How "Days to Harvest" Really Works
Ever looked at a seed packet and wondered what "days to harvest" actually means? It sounds straightforward, but daylight hours shift throughout the season—so what’s a "day" really? While we still haven’t gotten a straight answer, here’s where we've landed:
A "day" in seed packet terms seems to equal 12 hours of sunlight.
Based on that, we came up with a rough way to convert "days to harvest" into actual calendar days for your garden.
The (Imperfect) Farmer's Formula
We’re farmers, not mathematicians, so bear with us! If you’re the kind of person who loves numbers, here’s the thought process:
a. Look up the daylight hours for your location on the day you plant your seeds (Sa) and 60 days later (Sb). Timeanddate.com/sun can help.
b. Average those two numbers, subtract from (60 x 12) (Hp), and you'll get your deficit.
c. Add back in the number of days (Da) needed to make up for that deficit.
d. Consider average cloud cover in your area (Ca). NOAA’s weather site (www.weather.gov) has historical data. Subtract cloudy hours from (Hp).
e. Adjust your days again (Db).
So, Does This Actually Work?
Maybe. Maybe not. If our math checks out, this formula should give you a reasonable harvest estimate—probably within a few days of reality. But let's be honest: Mother Nature doesn’t always follow formulas. Weather shifts, soil conditions vary, and sometimes, a plant just does its own thing.
If you’re looking for precision, your best bet is keeping good records. Track your sowing dates, note your actual harvest dates, and use that data next season to tweak your timing.
Or, you know, just plant and see what happens. Either way, we’re rooting for you! 🌱
👉 Curious how other gardeners are tackling this question? Check out our original Instagram discussion here.