Picking (harvesting) Winter Squash

Category: Backyard Vegetable Garden, Growing Vegetables

Picking (harvesting) Winter Squash

Cucurbita moschata 'Butternut'.
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Harvesting winter squash varieties including Butternut, Acorn and Spaghetti squashes begins after their skins have hardened. Winter squash will store well for long periods of time after harvest, generally 3 to 4 months. It is important to make sure to harvest fruit before the first frost to prevent damage to the skin. To harvest fruit use a pair of pruning shears to cut the stem about ½ inch above the fruit being careful to not break the stem off of the fruit. Breaking the stem off will cause a wounded area for fruit rots to spoil the squash. Butternut squash are ripe when the outside skin turns a deep flesh color. Acorn squash are mature when the underside of the fruit turns an orange-yellow color where it had laid on the ground. Spaghetti squash is ripe when the skin turns a golden yellow color and hardens. If squash are soiled they can be washed. Store fruit in a warm (at least 55ºF) dry and dark area for extended shelf life.

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July 17th, 2009
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