WHEN TO PICK SUMMER SQUASH
Zucchini, yellow crookneck, patty pan or scallop, yellow straightneck and any other squash that has a thin tender skin are all considered summer squash.
Summer squash grow fast, so pick them some time before 7" long by 3" to 4" in
diameter. This is about the maximum size for them to be tender enough to eat.
The smaller they are, the more tender.
Don't be afraid to pick them at different sizes along their
growth. As long as you keep your squash plants watered, they will continue
to produce more squash. Just be careful you don't damage the plants when you
harvest. The leaf stems are fragile.
Winter squash are harvested when they are fully mature. This means that you will harvest winter squash at the very end of the growing season, near the time of the first frost.
** Immature squash and pumpkins do not store well, therefore, you must make sure they are mature before harvesting. Mature winter squash have very hard skins that cannot be punctured or bruised easily.
Also, as winter squash mature, their bright surface sheen changes to a dull, dry-appearing surface.
Kim in the garden...... ;o)
www.RaisedBedGardenKits.com
WHEN TO PICK WINTER SQUASH & PUMPKINS
Winter squash includes: butternut, acorn, spaghetti, buttercup and any squash that you can store through the winter.Winter squash are harvested when they are fully mature. This means that you will harvest winter squash at the very end of the growing season, near the time of the first frost.
** Immature squash and pumpkins do not store well, therefore, you must make sure they are mature before harvesting. Mature winter squash have very hard skins that cannot be punctured or bruised easily.
Also, as winter squash mature, their bright surface sheen changes to a dull, dry-appearing surface.
Kim in the garden...... ;o)
www.RaisedBedGardenKits.com
