unpicked

Unpicked refers to something that has not been gathered or collected. This term is most commonly used in agriculture and horticulture to describe fruits, vegetables, or other produce that remain on the plant or vine after the main harvest has concluded. This can happen for various reasons, such as being missed during a manual harvest, being too small or immature for the initial picking, or being left intentionally for a later harvest.

In some contexts, unpicked items may eventually fall to the ground, where they can decompose or be consumed by wildlife. In other cases, they might be left to overwinter and potentially be picked in a subsequent season, although this is less common for most perishable crops. The presence of unpicked produce can sometimes indicate inefficiencies in harvesting practices or a surplus of the crop. It can also be a deliberate strategy to allow for staggered ripening or to provide food for beneficial insects or birds. The term can also be applied more broadly to any item left uncollected or unchosen.