I don't eat squash, but my beloved loves it. I have never grown it before, but some just sprouted up on its own accord out of some seeds and stuff that got tossed into my "self-composting soil."
Here is a photo of where we are today. The fruit is about twice as big as a softball.
How do I tell when it's ready to harvest?
Depends on what kind it is , Can't tell from your photo. If the plant is a bush type, it could be one of the round zucchini, which are best when harvested about the size of a billiard ball. If a vine it would probably be a winter squash, which is best harvested when the vine dies back or just before frost. Chances are, from a compost pile, it is some type of cross whch may not be very good quality
It was not a compost "pile." In the spring I would just take my kitchen scraps and spread them over the beds. A couple of weeks later, I would mulch over with grass clippings. Rinse, repeat for about 6 weeks, until the plants got too big to do much soil tending.
One night, Mrs. had an acorn squash that she bought at the local farmer's markets and all the seeds ended up in the scraps that went into the garden. The plants took off, and since I had a little plot that I figured I would never use for anything, I transplanted them there.
I read here about how fickle squash is here and so I was hand pollinating for a while, but now I have so many fruit, and the vines are so prolific that I am not bothering anymore.
They are vining all over my lemon tree and up some stakes that I have sitting on my back wall after pulling out the spring pea crop. In general, the plants look like they could take over the whole yard if we're not careful.
But, to help you help me, I think that they are acorn squash. They were "planted" in mid-February and this photo is of one of the first fruits to come on.
Looks like a small watermelon! LOL!!! Good luck with your Squash.
