Squash

.. Knowing when squash is ready to pick from the garden differs from variety to variety. Summer squash and winter squash are different in that summer squash has a soft edible skin and is harvested in the summer time. For summer squash size is a matter of preference. However, most people pick them when they are the size of a cucumber. The skin is very delicate and if damaged, the squash will spoil more quickly. What is winter squash? Winter squash has a hard shell instead of a soft skin. This is a feature that allows it to be kept for a few months in a cool dark place to be used over the course of the winter. Some of the more popular types of winter squash include, acorn, butternut, hubbard, and spaghetti. When is winter squash ready to harvest? Each variety of winter squash has its own set of characteristics that help determine if it's ripe and ready to pick, but as a general rule, they typically reach maturity starting in September, or about 100 days after planting.However, start looking for mature squash in August. If you start picking them right away, before the vines begin to die, the growing season can be lengthened because the plants will continue to produce until frost. Popular squash varieties & signs that they are ripe Many gardeners use the fingernail method to determine if the squash is ready, regardless of the variety. In this case, if you can't mar the skin/shell with your finger nail, the squash is ready to pick. The only problem with this test is that if you do mar the shell disease causing pathogens can enter the squash and cause it to go bad, so use caution if you try this. Here are some signs by squash type that will help determine ripeness: •Butternut squash changes from light beige to a deep tan color when it's ripe. The optimal size is 8 to 12 inches in length. •There are other types of squash like acorn squash that has areas that develop an orange tone. Particular to the acorn squash is the yellow spot that faces the ground which turns orange when the squash is ready to pick. Acorn squash also changes from a shiny dark green to a duller tone of green •Hubbard squash is a very large winter squash that measures about 12 inches in diameter and can be very heavy. Hubbard squash feels rock hard and doesn't give at all when the outer shell is pressed. •Spaghetti squash is bright yellow when it's mature, which if a stark difference to the creamy white color while it is immature. Like the butternut, spaghetti squash should be between 8 and 12 inches in length. Harvesting & storing winter squash •Like most melons, you'll want to cut the squash off the vine. •Leave at least two inches of stem (5 cm) attached. This will help with extending storage time. •Harvest all winter squash after a light frost kills the vine. •Leave the squash on the vines to cure for 10 days to 2 weeks and cover at night if more frost is predicted. Letting the fruit cure will help to sweeten the flesh and make the shell better for storing. •If heavy frost is predicted, either cover the plants or harvest everything. Anything more than a light frost will shorten the storage life of the squash •Like tomatoes, squash will continue to ripen after picking, however, the flavor won't be as good. •Once the squash is harvested and ready to store, wipe the skin with a weak bleach solution to help prevent the squash from rotting. 6 parts water to 1 part bleach is a good ratio. •Store in a cool and well-ventilated place with a temperature range of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.