How to Tell When Squash Are Ready to Harvest: A Guide to Different Varieties
Squash is a versatile and delicious vegetable that comes in many varieties, each with its unique characteristics. Whether you're growing summer or winter squash, knowing when to harvest is crucial to getting the best flavor, texture, and storage life. In this article, we'll walk through the signs to look for in a few popular squash varieties, including Blue Hubbard, Butternut, Golden Delicious, Acorn, and others.
1. Blue Hubbard Squash
Blue Hubbard squash is known for its dense, sweet flesh and distinctive blue-gray skin. It is a winter squash with a long growing season and should be harvested in late fall.
Signs It’s Ready:
Skin color: Blue Hubbard squash should have a rich, blue-gray skin when it's mature. If it still looks light or pale, it needs more time.
Hard rind: Press your fingernail into the rind. If it doesn't leave a mark, the squash is ready. The skin should be hard and tough.
Stem: The stem of a mature Blue Hubbard squash will start to dry out and become tough. A green, soft stem means the squash is not ready.
Size: These squash can grow quite large. Look for squash that are about 12–18 inches long and weigh between 10–20 pounds.
2. Butternut Squash
Butternut squash has smooth, tan-colored skin and sweet, golden-orange flesh. It's a popular winter squash due to its rich flavor and versatility in recipes.
Signs It’s Ready:
Skin color: A fully ripe Butternut squash will have a uniform beige or tan color across the skin. The skin should be smooth, and the color should be consistent, without green patches.
Stem: Similar to other squash, check the stem. If it’s hard, dry, and slightly brown, your Butternut squash is ready for harvest. A green stem means it needs more time.
Sound test: Give it a tap—when ripe, Butternut squash will sound hollow. This is a sign that it has matured properly.
3. Golden Delicious Squash
Golden Delicious squash is another winter variety, with its sweet and nutty flavor making it a popular choice. It has a bright golden-yellow skin that’s easy to identify.
Signs It’s Ready:
Color: The squash should turn a deep, vibrant golden-yellow color. If the squash still has a pale, greenish tint, it needs more time to mature.
Rind: The skin should be hard and tough. If you press your fingernail into it and it leaves an indentation, it’s not ready.
Stem: A dry, shriveled stem is another indication that the Golden Delicious squash is mature. If the stem is still green and soft, wait a bit longer.
4. Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is a smaller winter squash variety with dark green or yellow skin and a sweet, slightly nutty flavor. It is often smaller than other winter squash, making it perfect for individual servings.
Signs It’s Ready:
Color: Acorn squash should have a deep, solid green color, or if it's a yellow variety, a bright yellow to golden hue. If the skin is still partially green or the squash looks glossy, it is not fully mature.
Hard skin: The skin should be tough to pierce with your fingernail. A soft, slightly yielding skin means it’s not fully matured yet.
Stem: The stem should be firm, dry, and slightly brown. If it's still green, wait a bit longer before harvesting.
5. Summer Squash (Zucchini, Yellow Squash, etc.)
Summer squash varieties, including zucchini and yellow squash, are harvested while their skin is still tender and the flesh is soft.
Signs It’s Ready:
Size: Summer squash should be harvested when they are small to medium-sized, typically between 6–8 inches long for zucchini or 5–6 inches for yellow squash. Larger squash will often become tough and develop seeds.
Skin texture: The skin should be smooth and tender. If you press your fingernail into the skin and it leaves an indentation, the squash is still young and tender.
Color: Summer squash should have a bright, uniform color, whether green for zucchini or yellow for yellow squash.
6. Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is a smaller winter squash variety that has pale yellow skin with green stripes. It's known for its sweet flavor and thin skin, which can be eaten.
Signs It’s Ready:
Color: Delicata squash should have a pale yellow color with darker green stripes running along the length of the squash. The skin should look more matte than shiny.
Firmness: The skin should be firm but not too tough. If the skin is easily scratched or pierced, the squash isn’t quite ready.
Stem: As with other varieties, check the stem—if it’s dry and woody, the squash is ready for harvest.
General Harvesting Tips for All Squash Varieties:
Timing: Most winter squash varieties require 80-120 days of growing time. Always check the days to maturity on the seed packet for an estimate of when to expect harvest.
Harvesting method: Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the squash from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem attached. Avoid pulling the squash by the stem as it can damage both the squash and the vine.
Curing squash: After harvesting, winter squash should be cured in a warm, dry place for about 10–14 days. This helps to toughen the skin and extend storage life.
Conclusion
Harvesting squash at the right time ensures that the fruits will have optimal flavor, texture, and storage potential. Keep a close eye on the signs of ripeness for the variety you’re growing, whether it’s the tough rind of Blue Hubbard or the bright, soft skin of summer squash. By following these tips, you can enjoy a successful squash harvest and make the most of your garden’s bounty.
