Procedure for sampling vegetables, fruits and trees

Crop Stage of growth sampled Plant part or leaves to sample Approximate number
Apples July 15 to Aug. 15 Leaf from middle of current terminal shoot 60
Asparagus Mature fern (August)Fern from 17 to 35 inches up 20
Beans, snap Initial flowering Young mature trifoliate 50
Beans, table MatureYoung mature leaf 20
Blueberries First week of harvestYoung mature leaf 50
Broccoli HeadingYoung mature leaf 15
Cabbage Heads, 1/2 grownYoung wrapper leaf 15
Cantaloupe Early fruitingFifth leaf from tip 25
Carrots MidgrowthYoung mature leaf 25
Cauliflower ButtoningYoung mature leaf 15
Celery Half-grownYoung mature leaf 20
Cherry SummerMature leaves from new growth 50
Cucumbers Early fruitingFifth leaf from tip 20
Grapes FloweringPetiole from young mature leaf 75
Lettuce Heads, 1/2 sizeWrapper leaf 20
Onions MidgrowthTop, no white portions 25
Peaches and nectarines Spring at fruit setMidshoot leaf 20
Peas First bloomRecently matured leaflet 50
Pecan 56-84 days after terminal bud setleaflet pairs from new growth 25
Peppers Early fruitingYoung mature leaf 20
Plum SummerWhole leaf from midshoot growth 25
Potatoes 40 to 50 days after emergenceYoung mature leaf 20
Pumpkin and squash Early fruitingYoung mature leaf 15
Radishes Midgrowth to harvestYoung mature leaf 40
Raspberries First week in AugustLeaf 18'' from tip 50
Spinach 30 to 50 days oldYoung mature leaf 35
Strawberries At floweringYoung mature leaf 20
Sweet corn Tasseling to silkEar leaf 10
Tomatoes First mature fruitYoung mature leaf 20
Walnut, black SummerMature leaf from new growth 5
Walnut, English SummerCenter leaflet from mature leaf 25
Watermelons MidgrowthYoung mature leaf 15