"Tim W" wrote
Books tell me various things but I still don't know.

Peel back the leaves and look at the colour - okay but I don't have enough
to spoil it by looking.

Stick your finger nail in and see if the juice is milky - as above

Wait until the tassels are brown - just wrong afaics

Any other methods? One book says the time of picking is critical for
sweetness.

The middle one.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden