Harvest winter squash when the fruits are mature. If any fruits are still immature when a frost threatens, harvest and use soon. Harvesting winter squash It may come as a surprise, but the first step to successful storage starts with harvesting winter squash the right way. Here are four tips to keep in mind when harvesting winter squash: Cut the fruits from the vines with a pair of pruners or a sharp knife.
Trust me. Leave at least two to three inches of stem on each squash. Never hold or carry a squash by its stem. If you do accidentally damage the fruit or break off the stem, use that squash soon. Before you harvest winter squash be sure the mature color has developed — usually about 55 days after fruit set.
Comments This is very helpful information for my first year of growing squash. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Disclosure Policy Privacy Policy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By clicking accept you give us permission to set cookies. Accept Read More. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
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But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Non Necessary non-necessary. In my own garden, I also like to locate them near some sort of sturdy structure, such as a livestock paneling fence or other heavy wiring.
They will be more likely to latch on to this structure and put the weight of the plant and fruit upon it — instead of crushing your other plants. You can also choose to locate your hills away from everything else.
A lone plant can do very well in a corner of a yard or along the back area of a homestead. We have actually dedicated a good half-acre to growing nothing but vining plants, including squash, pumpkins, and watermelons! Wherever you decide to grow yours, just be certain that your plot is within reach of watering, and has access to full sun. Hills can be created using a hoe or small spade.
Create the mound of dirt to be at least 24 inches in diameter, spaced feet apart for your bush-type plants. Increase the distance to feet for the more traditional vining variety. Squash are hardier than some plants, and if the soil is rich in humus and has good drainage , they should thrive.
One other way to ensure a fruitful fall harvest is to add compost to each hill base. Dig hills 18 inches deep. Then, alternate 6 inches of compost with 6 inches of soil, repeating until the mound reaches your desired height. This method will provide extra nourishment to plants throughout the very long growing season.
Because they need days to mature depending on the variety and the weather , it may make sense to start your seeds indoors. It is recommended to start your seeds in peat pots that can go directly into the ground when the weather warms up. This will cause the least amount of stress to new seedlings. For complete step-by-step instructions, see our guide to starting seeds indoors. Some growers like to soak their seeds overnight, because it softens the outer seed covering and allows for faster and easier germination.
Seeds should be put in the starting container 1 inch deep and on their sides, with a narrow edge facing up. A light watering should be done on the first day, and then every two to three days after that. Germination should take place within days. If you bury them too deep or two shallow, you risk killing them. Most years, I prefer to sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. While this means a later harvest for my growing zone , it usually results in stronger plants and a larger harvest.
I put two or three seeds into each hill, about one inch into the soil. Thin to just one plant per hill after germination. Use scissors to snip the spares, rather than pulling. This is important, since pulling one may disrupt the entangled roots of the neighboring seedlings. Mulching keeps the weeds down and helps the soil to retain moisture. I like to use a mixture of leaves, recycled cardboard, and commercial much.
Regular watering is needed during the hottest days, especially since these will be growing in full sunlight. You can also choose to add fertilizer every two to three weeks. To avoid a possible powdery mildew attack, keep the water off the leaves and vines. Try to keep the soil moist like a squeezed out sponge but not dripping wet.
Soaker hoses are a good option for this type of watering , allowing a hands-off approach for the busy gardener. The most important weapon in your arsenal is healthy soil. Squash, like all the cucurbits, have many enemies in the form of insect pests: squash bugs , squash vine borers, striped cucumber beetles, flea beetles , and seed corn maggots.
You can also choose to use your own organic pesticide to keep them under control. Diatomaceous earth is a formidable defense against most pests. Squash can also be susceptible to diseases such as alternaria leaf spot, septoria leaf spot, black rot, gummy blight, and powdery mildew. Gardeners have also found success planting radishes around the perimeter of each hill. Many pests that love squash also hate radishes, and radishes are a cheap deterrent.
Companion planting at its finest! Just be sure to skip harvesting these radishes, and allow them to grow tall. If you like, you can harvest the seed pods after they flower, and add them to salads. You can tell the difference between a boy and girl squash by lifting her skirt. A female blossom has a bulge — a potential squash — between the blossom and the stem, just waiting for fertilization.
Male blossoms grow on long, thin stems. In order to grow to full size, the female blossoms must be thoroughly pollinated. The best time to initiate pollination is around midday, when the female blossom is fully open. Follow these steps to give your squash a boost:. While this type of hands-on treatment is not usually necessary, this extra step can increase your squash harvest, especially in urban regions where bees and other pollinators may be scarce.
This will encourage the plant to put its energy into growing fruit, not producing more vines. Squash usually grow two main vines that head off in opposite directions.
Each of these vines will produce a secondary vine, which also produces fruit. Be very careful when handling vines at all times, as they can easily crack or break, and root systems can be destroyed from accidental uprooting.
Small fruits will need to be protected from impact, as well. To increase the number of pollinators in your area, plant flowers near your vegetables to attract bees and butterflies. Planting at least four squash plants close together will also increase the chance that all flowers will receive ample pollen. Ann Pedtke has been writing about science and the environment since Home Guides Garden Gardening. By Ann Pedtke. Related Articles.
Yield The acorn squash plant has a high yield, with some varieties, such as "Honey Bear," producing up to five fruits per plant. Dimensions of Fruit Acorn squashes have thick outer rinds, and the fruits generally weigh between 1 and 3 pounds.
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