When is winter squash ready?

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jamlover Delhi, IA Aug 23, 2014

I've read that the rind or skin would be hard to the fingernail. If you do this test and the nail cuts into the squash won't you cause it to start spoiling?

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 23, 2014

Not unless you have fingernails like Edward Scissorhands. Seriously, if the squash is anywhere near ready, you will jst make a little nick or scratch which heals right up.

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brendak654 Anna, IL(Zone 6b) Aug 23, 2014

When you do harvest them, leave some of the stem in tact. The fingernail is a good trick to check and see if their skin is hard. What kind of winter squash do you have?

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jamlover Delhi, IA Aug 24, 2014

Buttercup, I never planted it before. Usually plant butternut, but that was all that was available the day the urge to plant hit me. And with butternut I waited until frost to pick, but there are so many set I'll have squash coming out my ears if I don't start on them.

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 24, 2014

Buttercup in general has about the same size vine and growing season as the butternut. If you waited until frost for the butternut, it may be yet too early for the buttercup. Once you pull them, they get much better flavor if allowed to cure a couple of weeks.

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jamlover Delhi, IA Aug 24, 2014

I didn't know that. Thanks.

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