Harvest Time: Fruits of Summer

Across the countryside, farmers work long days to bring tomatoes, peaches and corn from the field to your table.

The Busy Season Begins

Summer is the busiest time of year for farmers. The sun shines for many hours, and crops grow fast in the warm weather. Every morning, workers walk into the fields before the day gets too hot. They carry baskets, tools, and big smiles — because harvest time is finally here. This season brings food for millions of people, so the work is very important. For a few short weeks, life on the farm moves faster than ever.

Red Tomatoes, Ready to Pick

Tomatoes love long, sunny days. As summer goes on, the green fruits turn bright red and become ripe. Workers move slowly down each row, checking every plant. A good tomato feels firm but a little soft when you touch it. The pickers place each one gently into a basket so it does not get hurt. Soon, trucks carry the fresh tomatoes to local stores and markets. Many will be used to make sauce, soup, or sandwiches.

Sweet Peaches in the Orchard

Peaches grow on trees in a place called an orchard. In July and August, the fruit becomes heavy and turns a warm orange-pink color. Farmers reach up high or use small ladders to pick them. A perfect peach smells sweet and is juicy inside. Children love eating them on hot afternoons, with juice running down their hands. After picking, the peaches are cooled quickly and sent to shops, so people can enjoy their sweet taste all week long.

Golden Corn in the Field

Corn grows tall in the field, sometimes higher than a person. By late summer, the ears are full of yellow kernels wrapped in green leaves. Farmers check the corn often to see if it is ready. When the time is right, they walk through the rows and pull the ears off the stalk. At home, families boil the corn, grill it, or cut it off the cob. Corn is a very popular crop in many countries, and it tastes best just after it is picked.

From the Farm to Your Table

After the harvest, life does not slow down. Farmers load their trucks early in the morning and drive to the market. There, shop owners buy the food and put it on shelves for customers. Some families drive out to the farm to pick their own fruit, which is called "pick-your-own." It is a fun way to spend a summer day and to eat food that is very fresh. When you bite into a peach or eat corn on the cob, remember the farmer who worked hard in the sunshine to grow it.