How to Tell When Squash Is Ripe

Squash plants can give a bountiful harvest.

Squash is an easy vegetable to grow and will yield an abundant crop. Squash is divided into two separate categories, summer or winter squash, with many varieties of each. Summer and winter squash varieties are planted at the same time in your garden but the time to harvest the produce differs greatly. Summer squashes are harvested while the vegetable is still immature and tender, while winter squash will be harvested much later when the squash has matured.

Instructions

Summer Squash

1. Take note of the type and variety of squash you plant when you sow the seeds. You can attach the seed envelope or package to a stick or wire and insert it into the soil close to the plant. On the package back it should tell you the estimated days from sowing the seeds to harvest, usually around 50 days. This will give you an idea of when your summer squash might be ready to pick.

2. Begin checking summer squash daily when you notice that there are vegetables developing. Your squash plant will begin producing male flowers before female flowers. Both are needed to pollinate and develop squash. Once little squash are seen it will take five to seven days, in hot weather, for the squash to grow large enough to harvest.

3. Pick summer squash when the skin is soft and tender, not hard. Press the squash with your finger; it should be soft and yielding. For yellow squash and zucchini, pick when the squash is 4 to 6 inches long. Ripe summer squash has underdeveloped seeds, soft rinds and the vine is also soft.

Winter Squash

1. Check the seed package when you plant your winter squash for the number of days to maturity, usually 60 to 75 days.

2. Check the squash skin for hardness when it has grown the number of days indicated on the package. Winter squash is ripe when the outer skin does not have any give to it when you press it with your finger. The vine of winter squash will be strong and harder than the vine of a summer squash.

3. Make sure the color of the mature winter squash is rich and bright. Winter squash color when immature is pale and light, but as it matures it changes to brighter, deeper colors.

4. Store winter squash in a cool, dry location, like a basement. Winter squash, because of its hard exterior, will keep throughout the winter if stored properly.

References

• What's Cooking, America: Squash - Summer & Winter Squash
• Improving Your World: When to Harvest Squash for the Best Flavor?