How to Harvest and Cure Pumpkin and Winter Squash + The TRICK for knowing when to harvest!

[@Lculp76]

Your little helper cracks me up he's so helpful too cute ❤

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm quite fond of him too 😄

[@Mike-rk8oo]

Try North Georgia Candy Roaster

[@loveandpanic]

Thank you for this, extremely helpful and you're a great teacher!

[@janabandana4240]

I love my crookneck butternut squash. Huge and delicious.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Sounds good!

[@cherinetaylor895]

I have 2 crookneck squash but not sure when to harvest. This is my first time growing squash and they are all green

[@breehenson1316]

Great information thank you. I didn't realize the curing process was important for developing the flavor of winter squash.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Bree Henson you are very welcome! I’m glad you found the information helpful and appreciate the feedback!

[@YoungAtHeart9]

I was thinking just this morning that I needed to research when to harvest my squash & your video showed up! Thank you. I didn’t know I had to cure them & it’s helpful to know how to store them. 👏👏👏

[@mariaberger9076]

Just harvested my first sugar pie pumpkins of the season. Thanks for the great video - straightforward and easy to follow information

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Hooray for pie pumpkins! Glad to hear you're starting the harvest, Maria. I'm also glad you found the video helpful. Enjoy those pumpkins & take care!

[@veggiemom5]

I'm growing blue Hubbard, jack o lantern, kabocha and flat white this year. Best pumpkin crop I've ever had!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad to hear it!

[@Bobsmith-ot6si]

Crown prince is my favourite squash for flavour ❤

[@daniellebradley2728]

I love jarhadale pumpkins. They are the green blocky ones. They can grace my south-facing Atlanta front porch through Thanksgiving and then still hang out in storage for a few months! And they are the best tasting pumpkin I have tried.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Excellent! I see those every year and have always wanted to grow them, but have never gotten around to it. Adding to my wish list for next year! Thanks so much for the suggestion!

[@palominogirl2732]

Your little greenhouse is still so nice! Ours only lasted a couple years - the wind really takes it out. We built some 'real' greenhouses. But I still might cure the pumpkins in there if I can keep the chickens out. (The doors blew off.) Anyway, I always have to remind myself how to tell if they are ripe. I've been adding pumpkin/squash/sweet potatoes to the dog food sometimes, mixing up green vegetables as well. Also, I save the seed/pulp in freezer bags and it is a delightful, very exciting, chicken snack especially on bad winter days when I don't let them out of their coop. I've had delicata last until April, here in NY state. This year, I want to can some. I've also taken pumpkin puree and frozen it in cupcake papers. Then I take them out of the cupcake pan and put in freezer bags for if I just want a few tablespoons for a special fancy drink. (I never buy those fancy drinks. I have a thermos and know how to use it, LOL) I will also freeze pumpkin in 1 or 2 cup measurements for pie or whatever. Sometimes I just mix it up with evap. milk, egg, etc., just wing it and put it in a 8 x 8 pan on a graham cracker crust with some crumb topping for fast 'pie'. My friend gave me some of his seeds and I have three different pumpkin varieties this year: Baby Pam, Sugar Pie, and Winter Luxury. Delicata and Butternut, too.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Love the idea of saving the seeds/pulp as a chicken treat-- I'm going to try this! Thanks for sharing!

[@amyk6028]

I love growing Pumpkins and Winter Squash! Even more than summer squashes. I’ve learned so much from your channel and your videos just keep getting better and better. You are a natural teacher ❤ Keep up the good work. Also, if you haven’t grown Kakai Squash, it’s a must! The seeds are hulless and delicious roasted or dehydrated 😋

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bjb24128]

Excellent in-depth video! I only have a small area for winter squash, leaving the rest of my space for summer crops like beans, peppers, carrots after rotating out winter/early spring crops of spinach, lettuce and broccoli. My favorite winter squash is honeynut. I must not have cured mine properly last year as many became soft and moldy after a while. I had brought them into my kitchen so thanks to your video I will put them on my covered deck. I have a small greenhouse if I can find it after moving to a different climate 4 years ago. Still getting used to, and learning the change. (FL to the foothills of NC). Thank you for the video. As I just found you,may I ask where you are located? Oh one question, I have a sprinkler system set up for the garden so my honeynut is still producing but I know here in mid-September most of the new squashes will not have time to mature. Should I stop watering?

[@jenniferk6697]

I’m growing pumpkins for the first time, Cherokee tan pumpkins, and they are prolific!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Ooh nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@GroLeafy]

Your videos are awesome Jenna! 😀 I am a new gardener that has so much to learn. I am trying to learn how to cure.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you!

[@sunsetfarmohio8964]

Hi Jenna! Great video again. Is there a video from you on growing pumpkins for seeds and starts and the timing for growing them for Halloween? If you have, I can't find it. Keep up the great videos!

[@michaelmarchione3408]

Thanks for the info, we grow and love Golden Delicious squash.We have grown it for years and have very good luck with the storage of this squash. It also has an interesting history.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Golden Delicious sounds very interesting-- I see it described as 'better than a sweet potato"! Would you agree with that-- because if so, I must try it! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@lj6152]

This year was the first time I grew quash, it was a Georgia Candy Roaster, and in a friends garden since I don't have one. My question is "Do your plant vines tend to grow heading North?" Mine all grew heading North and I was wondering if this common, I'd like to plant a couple more next year but don't want to ruin as much of my friends plants as I did this year.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Well that is very interesting! I can’t say I’ve observed that mine grow specifically north, or any one direction for that matter. I’m curious if there was more sunlight to the north for your plants by chance?

[@lj6152]

@@GrowfullywithJenna Thanks for your reply. The garden is in a totally open area so there is no shade factor. I'm in central Alberta, Canada. We have a short growing season but have long hours of daylight. The fruit didn't grow "normal" but it may have been our couple bouts of 1 week stretches of 50F with rain. Next year I'll plant on the North end of her garden and cross my fingers that the vines go North again.

[@manvenderjeph7454]

Yr cap is good pumpkin colour and variety good

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback!

[@joeymasterson4395]

You are very pleasant to watch. Thanks

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching! Take care!

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Always such amazing information we get from your Mrs. Jenna. Been awhile since we grew any pumpkins. About the only squash we like is summer squash. Not big fans of all the other types. Thanks for all the tips and tricks you gave us. Stay safe and have a wonderful week!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

CB's Greenhouse and Garden well it certainly makes sense to only grow what you like to eat! I’m a giant fan of winter squash & pumpkin- but no one else in the family loves it (unless I make it into pumpkin pie, lol). Thanks for watching and you have a wonderful week as well!

[@richardsmith3871]

why do you recommend not storing sqash with cuts on them at the same time as using the thumbnail test, which must result in early tested squashes having cuts from this test previously, when finally harvested. does this mean throwing any that have been tested too early?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

If I thumbnail test an immature squash and don't harvest it, that cut will heal over as the squash matures.

[@mamasolilytarotbeyond8248]

Candy Roaster Carolina Squash 😋 ♥

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@rebeccaharp3254]

wonderful, thank you

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

My pleasure!

[@ronniebrace2917]

Very helpful video. Thanks!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad it was helpful, Ronnie! Take care!

[@edprotas4148]

I recently watched a video where it was suggested that wiping down the squash with a mixture of water and vinegar was beneficial in killing of any residual bacteria from the garden -- and then letting them dry/cure. Have you ever done this and how does that idea sound to you? Thanks, your videos are great!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Great question, Ed! I have not, but I do have a friend who uses a peroxide mixture to do the same thing. In theory, in makes sense to me, but I've never had a reason to try it, as they cure & dry just fine as is for me.

[@danlee4706]

Winter squashes are my favorite vegetables. Blue Hubbard (not the smaller varieties like Baby Blue), and Ebony Acorn are my favorites. Have a question: I used to live way north in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the winter squash had a deeper color and heartier flavor. The summer nights are almost always cool. The soil was a heavier clay. Those are the only differences. Any idea why?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Hmmm.... you've got me stumped. Right off hand I'd guess it to be something to do with the makeup of the soil, but I honestly don't know. I'm going to have to dig a little on this one. If I come across anything I'll let you know. Great question!

[@danlee4706]

@@GrowfullywithJenna Thanks! I will research it too. I noticed the carrots up there tasted great too, and I learned that is due to the cool climate as well. Never heard that about winter squash though.

[@SuperSaltydog77]

It could have been a different variety or close relative of butternut. You might have had a variety known as honeynut which have a very deep orange color due to the greater amount of beta carotene or another variety called argonaut, they both closely resemble butternut in appearance

[@deeskitchenandwoodworking]

I’m trying the candy roasters this year and was wondering if I should cut some off the vines/limit quantities per plant? Northern Michigan but started indoors and plants are doing well! 😊

[@ForestHealth]

Thank you again, very helpful :)

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@colettebozik3433]

Hey Jenna always a pleasure to watch you, my question is I live in NC zone 7b and I just picked 9 butternut and waiting on 6 to 8 more. I really don’t have a sunny window so I was going to put them outside in a air flow wagon, however when you mentioned the temp and humidity I was a little confused on what to do. Todays temp and humidity is 94 with 54 humidity real feel 101. Will they be ok out there if I have them in part sun part shade for the 10 days? Thanks hope you get this.

[@lisamart53]

I don't have root cellar or basement is it ok to put my butternut squash in a dark closet when it's done curing

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Yes, this is a great option!

[@thebeave0630]

Oh I like that hat!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you!

[@narinarin6525]

I like squash.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Me too.

[@martinamedina2981]

Sorry i loved all pumpkins

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I love all pumpkins too!

[@alicejones3605]

Thank you for your video! I have a question about pests. I read your reply to meand mylife. That was very helpful. Last year - my very first year gardening - we had a bumper crop of butternut squash. This year it was sad. We had a small crop. The squash bugs and probably borers were out in force. We added spaghetti squash this year. Are they more susceptible to pests? You said to avoid planting in the same location two years in a row. Ooops. Maybe that was our mistake. Finally, does anything work to deter these squash pests? I recently purchased some food grade diatomaceous earth. Do you think it could make a difference if I sprinkled it on with some regularity? Or do we just have to squash those squash bugs one by one? Thanks again!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Hi Alice- you are most welcome! These are great questions, and questions I'm sure a lot of folks have. I didn't want you think I was ignoring your question, but I'll have to get back to you on Monday with my suggestions on squash & pumpkin pests. It's a lengthy answer and I'm in a bit of time crunch at the moment 😄. I'll write back soon!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

@Alice Jones I definitely had more squash bugs on my spaghetti squash than some of my other winter squash this year. But here in Ohio, all the vining crop pests seemed to be unusually awful this year for some reason! One of the best preventative measures I've found so far is keeping young plants covered in netting as long as possible. You typically need to remove the netting during bloom to allow for pollination, but this at least gives your plants a jump start on some healthy growth before the insect attacks set in. Crop rotation is especially important when netting, because otherwise you risk trapping the insect pests that are emerging from the soil in with your plants! Destroy any plants that were infested this year (burning is my method of choice). A light tillage after plants have been removed can also help expose pupae that remain in the soil and allows predators easy access-- they can do some of the cleanup for you! Using a kaolin clay product like Surround on your plants is another means of prevention. The clay coats the plants forming a physical barrier against the insects. You must maintain a good coating of clay though- which means that you have to reapply any time it rains and/or every 7-10 days. According to a publication by NCAT Agriculture, neem oil & diatomaceous earth can be effective against squash bugs- but timing is critical. It is best to use just after egg hatch, when they are in their nymph stage, as adults are difficult to kill. You may find the entire publication helpful: www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/uploads/files/borer-and-squash.pdf

[@alicejones3605]

@@GrowfullywithJenna - wow, Jenna, I can’t thank you enough! I haven’t heard of Surround and never thought of using netting. I’ll also enjoy reading the link you provided. I appreciate your help so much!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

@@alicejones3605 you're welcome!

[@pengjia9405]

想买这些南瓜种子

[@Czibs111]

How did u keep the mildew off your sqush

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Hi Gail- first, I try to grow varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew. In years when the disease pressure is particularly high I also like to use a product called Garden Sentinel, which utilizes Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (a naturally-occurring bacteria) to essentially boost plants' immune systems- making them more resistant to infections from mildew and other fungal & bacterial pathogens.

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@meandmylife3090]

Do you have squash borers? I can’t seem to avoid those pest.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I get them every once in a while- but my problems pests are the squash bugs & cucumber beetles! A few things to consider regarding the prevention of borer damage: Once the larvae have entered the stem, it becomes very difficult to control the damage caused by borer, so focus on preventing the larvae from entering the plant. Choose resistant varieties- butternut squash is among the most resistant of the winter squashes, while hubbard-types are often the most susceptible. Remove and destroy any plants killed by borers as quickly as possible. You can use a physical barrier such as a floating row cover or super light insect barrier to prevent adult borers from laying their eggs near your planting. Folks also swear by placing aluminum foil ‘collar’s around the base of the plants. Physical barriers need to be in place when the first adults are detected or crops start to vine and need to be removed at blossom time to ensure pollination occurs. Avoid planting squash in the same location 2 years in a row and plant as early as possible in the season. I hope this helps- I know how frustrating those pests are!

[@meandmylife3090]

What is the name of the long squash at 2:35 mark? Thank you so much!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

@@meandmylife3090 that is 'Pastila Shampan' winter squash. Very similar in appearance to 'Jumbo Pink Banana' but Pastila doesn't get as large as Banana.

[@zephyrgrows2086]

Excellent harvest!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Zephyr Grows thanks! I was pretty happy with our harvest this year too! Luckily the bugs didn’t decimate everything before maturity.

[@ortegajuan1]

Big moon

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I've not grown 'Big Moon' pumpkin yet-- why do you like that one?

[@tsmall6211]

Jenna, your son is cute as can be!!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks (I think so too!)

[@LoriCurtis-c3p]

Hubbard

[@cantnv1]

Some squash have a thinner skin than others

[@mr.f613]

I worry that the thumbnail test could damage the skin.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That's a valid concern, but in my experience, the small indentation left from the thumbnail heals over very quickly and has never caused me any issues.

[@ronniebrace2917]

Very helpful video thanks!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

You are welcome, Ronnie! I'm glad you found it helpful!