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Avocado: Avocados ripen off the tree, not on it. Harvest when full-sized and skin darkens (Hass: dark green to black). Test by removing the stem button — green underneath means not ready, yellow-green means close, brown means overripe. Ripen at room temperature for 3–7 days.

Fig: Hangs heavily and droops at the neck; skin softens and may split. A sweet drop of nectar at the base eye and the absence of white sap at the stem confirm ripeness. Pick with a gentle twist.

Lemon: Fully yellow with no green remaining; skin slightly glossy and gives a little when squeezed. Heavy for its size indicates juiciness. Unlike most fruit, lemons can hang on the tree for months once ripe without deteriorating.