How to Harvest and Cure Squash | lasts MONTHS on the open shelf like this

[@MelissaKNorris]

Let me know if you enjoyed this video and what type of winter squash you're growing. Do you cure and store yours like this? What's the longest you've had it stay good?

[@sgaff25277]

Did I miss tips on how long to let them cure for and where to store them after they are cured?

[@MelissaKNorris]

@@sgaff25277 it was in the beginning part but cure as close to 80 degrees F for 10 to 14 days then move to the coolest portion of your house or an area that's 50 to 60 degrees (we vary between about 65 and 70 in our home). I just store on shelves in the kitchen and pantru.

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Great vid but I thought you would show where and how they're stored in your house. How long do they stay outside? I probably missed what you said..lol. Thanks

[@sgaff25277]

@@MelissaKNorris thanks!

[@MelissaKNorris]

@@barbaracarbone4658 they stay outside for 10 to 14 days for curing and then I bring them in. Right now our outside temps are favorable (we cooled off) I have them on the porch where we're about 50 degrees during the day, once that starts to dip and we get deep freezes they'll come inside. But after the 14 day curing they need to be moved to cooler storage, where ever that may be.

[@davidfinet2079]

If you really like the wire baskets check in with an appliance store, they replace old freezers and get all those old wire baskets, perfect for harvest or even putting plastic over them and using them as cloches in the Spring.

[@jordanbragg2209]

Thank you!!! I just harvested 15 spaghetti squash that I grew from saved seed…and needed to learn how to cure them. Your video saved the day:) I occasionally watch/listen to new videos & podcasts episodes but I’m thankful for this old video today! ❤️

[@ghostriderwashere]

good video. i always just set butternut squash up on its end after harvest and let mother nature cure it. its never in the 80's in north missouri when i harvest them. after a couple weeks i just set them in an upstairs room in the old farm house where theres no heat and it never freezes them but stays pretty cool up there in winter. ive had them last over a year.

[@denisepinkston7160]

I'm growing acorn squash I sprouted from a store bought. Three plants and I am eating them all. Lol! My first time to grow anything besides zucchini and yellow crookneck.

[@gratituderanch9406]

It’s late august in Washington state here too, and I still have 1 edible spaghetti squash and butternut from last year! A little dry but 100% edible (judging by the others I ate this month). Butternut, spaghetti and delicata (totally NOT what I’d expect) are my best storers. Also- butternut is sweeter than pie pumpkin, so I don’t even bother with pumpkins other than fun for the kids anymore.

[@jenniferrobs3980]

You make pumpkin pie with butternut? I need to try that!

[@maplenook]

Notes. Leave on the vine as long as possible. Let cure 80 degrees covered area outside. Don’t allow frost. Leave stem on with no break. Wash. Vinegar wipe removes bacteria. Store inside - cool area. Spaghetti squash lasts 6 mos. Pumpkin 6-8 weeks.

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

Hi!I just pulled my vine 2 days ago, we harvested and shared 17 spaghetti sqush fron just one vine. So next year 1o plants go in so Ican share with my local food pantry! Dwfinietlt planting cucurbuiticae heavy next year! got 32 desi squash from 3 plants direct seeded late July!Yours are gorgeous . Lost count of the crooknecks!

[@catracampolieto8989]

I'm growing butternut squash for the first time. I have never eaten butternut squash either. I just really wanted to try it. I'll be sure to look at different recipes.

[@theresa2245]

Brilliant! I've seen a lot of gardening videos on KZbin and you were the only how-to step-by-step process that was intelligent, complete, and competent. THANK YOU for your knowledge and generosity! I'm a fan. Much abundance to you. from AShland OR

[@alycadabra7956]

I agree! I've been looking for info on squash harvesting and curing for storage and this is it!!

[@marlaschaefer2544]

I'm growing Butternut squash for the first time this year and am looking at lots of videos to help me with harvesting them. Your video has plenty of information that I haven't come across yet. Thank you for your thorough description of thing squash-related...

[@mssavedin92]

good show! Thankyou. I learned a few years back....to cure them in the sun..thats what weve always done and last batch of small spaghetti squash, they lasted a year.

[@ipeefreely2364]

I'm going to do some Sweet Meat Squash and Butternut for the first time as soon as spring comes around. My biggest successors when it comes to my garden are my Baby Round Zucchini. They grow like crazy. I even leave them on a table for the neighborhood joggers to take home because they grow so abundantly.

[@michellehedgcock8924]

Thanks for keeping it real and not weeding before recording. I always feel bad when I have weeds in my garden. Glad to know that I'm not the only one that has them.

[@MelissaKNorris]

lol I have to wonder if I see a garden that never has weeds if it's real ;)

[@michellehedgcock8924]

@@MelissaKNorris LOL!! So true!

[@izholmes]

Yes! Agreed!

[@brentberry6967]

Getting ready for harvest here in Taos , NM. Thanks for the great vid!

[@clau9609]

Thank you, Melissa! We grew butternut squash for the first time this year and we have picked over 15 so far! Glad to learn that they will keep for months!

[@sky444elly]

Thanks for telling us your in the PNW. Because thats where i am. I alway get nurvice watching videos of people doing stuff in there garden and there on the est coast or Texas. Our climet and timeing for stuff is so much difficult. I wish more people menchined that in there vidios, or at least in there bios for refrence.

[@walkbyfaithfamily9177]

I love butternut squash! I had to harvest mine before they were fully ripe because of a freeze this year. But in the past I have had them last for up to 8 months in my kitchen pantry. They might have gone longer but we ate them up. 😆

[@Ashley-np3pj]

As far as flavor , my favorite two squash are Hopi Pale Grey and either Delicata. No need to add sugar as they are so good. Have a few more kinds to try yet that I grew this year.

[@juliemorales6665]

I love these videos! I’ve always dreamed of living like this. This channel popped up on my feed about two weeks ago and I’ve been watching ever since. And you know, I never knew there were so many different kinds of squash (just read about them in the comments).

[@rachelschmaltz3092]

This is just what I needed. I have never grown them but I got lots of the squash. I'm hoping they turn out as good as yours. Thank you God bless

[@laurenholladay]

I'm a new gardener. Thank you Melissa for your videos. They are a blessing to me. I just saw my first two spaghetti squashes that are fully mature! I'm so excited! I thank you for showing me how to store them. Love your videos dear one. God bless you!

[@gretagatita]

i've been growing hubbard, butternut, gete okosomin winter squash for several years. i learned from you to now wipe squash down with vinegar and not cure the squash in direct sunlight. v. good video, thanks!

[@paultaylor7570]

you do a great job of explaining/ teaching in your videos.. I picked up some useful tips. Thanks..!

[@izholmes]

I love kojinut squash. I got a few from a local farmer and immediately purchased the seeds. Can't wait to try growing them next year!

[@vpeters2647]

I like the vinegar wash idea, that's brilliant!

[@lynnoramoscowitz6942]

I have had Waltham butternut last almost 18 months. But baby butternut only lasts about 8. Pumpkins if well cured in my sort of basement root cellar will last 3 or 4 months. Hubbard about 12. This is my first year growing spaghetti squash. Love the channel. I live in Washington as well (but a drier area) and I think being in a drier location probably helps with curing and long term storage. Also having a root cellar. The butternut in my root cellar (which is really just an unheated basement room) lasted 6 months longer than the ones upstairs in my pantry.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

It was an amazing squash harvest this year

[@MountainwithaView]

Love your videos....I had a spaghetti squash last from my 2019 garden until this june 2020...it was still fine but we decided to eat it...I saved the seeds for planting....I always thought you shouldn't wash any squash after picking....but maybe I'll try the vinegar on a few...we had over 35 spaghetti squash on only 4 hills...thanks love the advice...I'd never done the apple 🍎 🥧 canning..love seeing them in my pantry....so much fun..xoxo

[@mikejohn1202]

Thanks for an enjoyable and educational few minutes of your time. Squash, was not something I grew up eating and I'm a little more educated and as much as I despised school this was pretty cool. I'll blame it on all those green leafy vines.

[@carolmartin2503]

Hi Melissa, The butternut squash was still fully editable in mid spring, like May 10 or so. The research that I did explained to let them sit in a dry and lower temperature to keep it from getting 'old'. My root cellar would be too damp and too cold, especially if the winter ave. temp drops to zero F., which does happen here! I DID store carrots, beets and potatoes in the root cellar but covered their baskets up - just in case, and the temp did drop for several weeks but they were all fine! The carrots and beets spent the winter 'buried' in saw dust for extra careful protection............. it worked. Our potatoes were good till the end of June, I think ! Good information. I'll stay tuned.......... =}

[@cjboac9864]

Layering them in Rice straw in a crate,box, etc works great for storage too!

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Super video! Love watching them all! We grew our first winter squash this year, mainly Georgia Candy Roaster, but did not cure them properly. Will probably cook and freeze. Love from Nova Scotia

[@conniecarroll9398]

Loved this video learning sooo much from you thanks on how to cure and save my squash. My family actually loves zucchini and Japanese eggplant. LOL I love the whole garden. I made raise beds this year and my garden has blossomed a lot. Oh my i grew everything, well as much as I could and yes I over crowed to get more food and it worked. I tried to plant for at least 8 months worth of vegetables Thanks for video

[@leeabend8079]

Your very personable, articulate, informative and well thought out in your vid. Butternut is what I'm endeavoring with and my favorite so far. I know that if you take plastic wrap and encapsulate/wrap the stems on Bananas they last much longer. The same principle may well apply to squash.

[@mudslinger888]

You can bury a plastic hdpe/food grade plastic drum in the ground for a cheap small root cellar. Make sure the top is insulated against cold too, with gravel or rocks underneath for drainage. For a bigger one, a liquid shipping container is about the size of 4 drums so a trap door with a ladder to access works great. If you have a lot of space, a steel shipping container would make a super root cellar and storm shelter, big project to bury...

[@AndreasCreations]

Great information. Enjoying this harvest and curing series.

[@loue6563]

I love sweet dumpling squash!! (sometimes called apple dumpling)They look like a variegated acorn squash. And have a sweet nutty flavor and even texture. They flavor reminds me of chestnuts a little. Which I also love. They will last a long time but loose some of the flavor. I wish I could get the butternut to last as long. Thanks for the tip on using vinegar...makes great since. I just started a new round of apple scrap vinegar as well. :-)

[@AlternativeHomesteading]

Thank you for this video Melissa. I was not aware that spaghetti squash could sit on a shelf for so long.

[@christiensgarden3325]

Thanks for a great video.... so bought winter squash at the farmers market and my husband decided to put it on a wire rack in the garage during this winter.... The winter squash (acorn butternut and spaghett) appears to not be lasting as long as I believe they would have if they had been put in the basement storage room... at least we can say it was an experiment and realistically I think we failed... so next year it will be put in the basement and we’ll see how long they last there... luckily I truly didn’t grow them so it wouldn’t be as devastating for me to lose them.

[@doloresmccarthy9279]

good job staying on topic. Very informative.

[@leannshort2211]

Well great! I have watched other videos that say to let your squash just cure in the yard for a week to 10 days. So that is what I’ve done with my Butternut squash I harvested a little over a week ago, in direct sunlight. 😑 I hope all is not lost. They look great otherwise! I am bringing them in today to store in my basement. Should I still wipe them down with apple cider vinegar? Thanks for your video, I appreciate your Channel Melissa! ❤

[@rosea830]

Was curious about Spaghetti Squash, thanks! Tan Cheese pumpkins, Seminole pumpkin, Butternut Squash, and Old Tennessee Vining Pumpkins last a year for us. We cure them out in full sun until the stem is completely dry and then they go to a closet. They seem to store better in the dark than out on a counter for us.

[@escapetherace1943]

I didn't even know about curing and our spaghetti squash lasted 8 months before we just got rid of a bunch.... ridiculously well keeping, even though I don't like it that much lol

[@JoeBanjo88]

Hey Melissa...Im near you in the Inland NW. Growing Kobacha (Im addicted to Thai pumpkin curry) Delicata and sweet dumpling. Thnak you for the tips!!!

[@robinlillian9471]

I never used apple cider vinegar, and I have had Neck pumpkins last a year.

[@melissabattiato232]

I've just found your channel and am so very happy to have found this! I am hoping to cure my sp. squash properly as I finally had success and hope to keep them as long as possible. And you have a book too?! I'll look it up next. Thanks so much!

[@TomiaMacQueen]

This was great thanks. My pumpkins last for months but my squash not so long. However, I think the acv cleaning will help a lot so I'll definitely give that a try.

[@debbiesykes4696]

Great video i have not had much luck growing any squash but this up coming year I'm doing it differently and planting as many as I can. lol

[@kaiserandkonaGSD]

Love this video totally helped me know how to do this with my winter squash

[@stephenclaymcgehee2931]

Seminole pumpkin is well known for its long-term storage. The longest documented one (where I wrote the harvest date on it) is about 5 months before I just gave up waiting and ate it. We currently have three of them sitting on top of the refrigerator that were harvested sometime last Fall. I wish I had written the date on them.

[@MelissaKNorris]

Is it a sugar or pie pumpkin? With that type of storage I've got to try it!

[@stephenclaymcgehee2931]

@@MelissaKNorris I don't really know how to answer that one - I just grow 'em. Here's a good article about them from the Florida Horticultural Society - www.southernagrarian.com/resources/pdf/SeminolePumpkin.pdf

[@nancyschwartz5665]

@@stephenclaymcgehee2931fascinating article. Thank you for sharing.

[@QuiteContent]

The white wire basket looks like it came from a chest freezer. Great idea for gathering and washing.

[@brendachapman4559]

I sure do appreciate your knowledge and thanks so much for sharing! I have Spaghetti squash too.You might want to get a wagon to put that big basket in for big stuff. Much Love and Blessings

[@haroldkinnionkinnion3305]

Good job little sister good video

[@richardhatfield915]

Very good thank you 😊

[@bethanyspudy6189]

Thanks for the great info! I've always been a little unclear on what exactly "cured" means for winter squash and this really cleared it up. I was wondering if you could share ideas on ways to use the squash, please. We're from Pennsylvania and don't have the strong squash traditions that seem to run in the south but I'd love to use it more because of its great storage potential. Unfortunately, the extent of my repertoire is pumpkin pie, buttered spaghetti squash, and butternut squash soup! Thanks in advance!

[@MelissaKNorris]

Hi @Bethany Spudy so many options, I have a few of my favorite pumpkin recipes here (including pumpkin cookies!!) melissaknorris.com/?s=pumpkin for spaghetti squash I love using it as pasta and butternut here's my favorite roasted side dish melissaknorris.com/pioneering-today-baked-garlic-and-butternut-squash-recipe-and-freezer-tips/

[@jeffhenderson3184]

For spaghetti squash… I like to put in pressure cooker for two minutes cook time (obviously it takes longer with pressurization and de-pressurization). Then scrape out and add butter and salt. Yum!! Or… same instructions above, then pore a meat sauce over it for a real yummy spaghetti (the squash replaces noodles). We love this!

[@TruthGirlBoss]

Can you do a video on delicata squash and if it’s okay to consume if they are bumpy I can’t find anything about it

[@robertandcarolynbadger1762]

I'm growing acorn squash for the first time. Can I store in my root cellar? How long can I expect it to last? I'm concerned that my root cellar is too damp. I store my butternuts inside the house, in a dark storage room and they have lasted until March.

[@stevenr2789]

I have butternut squash. What do I do with these. This is my first time growing these what tips would u have for me plz

[@gailsgardenherbsmore1605]

Very good explanation. You did delineate this well.

[@MFaith777]

So you will leave them on the vine as long as possible but if you have a killing frost coming then you take them off the vine even if the stem is green and you can cure it on the porch after the vinegar rinse? So it’s OK if the stem is green to cure it?

[@seekwisdom5102]

Thanks. A friend is gifting me all his fruits from his plants and its August, they are not yellow at all. Maybe like the first one you picked. If I get them this week, will they turn yellow inside the house after curing like you did?

[@monicageiger-sniff3912]

Finally got a chance to watch this. I noticed you didn't wipe down the stems with the vinegar. The bits of dirt there won't be a problem? Also if one did wipe down the stems would that hurt the storage? I have not done spaghetti squash before and am excited to do it.

[@MelissaKNorris]

The stems dry out and I've never had decay start there, plus they're prickly so it would be very hard to wipe down. I don't see that it would hurt anything if you did, I just never have and it hasn't been an issue 😊

[@AmsterDanTheAmerican]

Will leaving the stem on a tomato slow the ripening of the tomato too?

[@johnreginahenderson7032]

Great info! Thank you!😊Regina

[@erikasmith4427]

I just found your channel. Just wondering how long does the curing process last. I guess I miss that part. Thanks for your informative tips. God bless.

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

Great info! Thanks!

[@cafedunier]

Hey there! thanks for the video. When Im about to get frost and harvest my squash, how do I let it sit in 80 degree heat?

[@unnamed2737]

My vine is dying before my spaghetti squash has finished ripening. Vine borers finally took it it. Can the squash be saved?

[@wonderingchild1]

Hey I hope you see this… I have a question I am new to this! I took some seeds from a spaghetti squash and just dried them on the counter! After a few months I put in wet paper towel and zip bag, and sure enough they sprouted! I put them in potting soil, and now I have beautiful dark green plants growing! 😬 but now it’s October! I didn’t do this with all my seeds so I’ll have some in spring, but since it’s a vine plant! Is there anything I can do to keep them until I would plant in the ground??

[@thebernshow8425]

How long do you cure the winter squash? I am harvesting butternut squash.

[@DWaller1978]

How long do you keep the squash on the screen before bringing them in?

[@barbaracarbone4658]

How do you store them in your house? Standing up? On their side? Aeration around them? I'd love to see that.

[@MelissaKNorris]

@Barbara Carbone I'll try and film an update but I lay them on one side in the house with room around them. I put a few on the open shelves of my kitchen island to use first and the rest in the back pantry (furthest room away from the fire place) on the floor because I"m usually out of shelf room at that point.

[@tddr7666]

Thank you

[@vpeters2647]

If you wait untill the first frost(in northern climates" to maximize ripeness, how do you cure them at 80 deg F , it's only 60 during the day at best?

[@threegoodeyes7400]

So what’s the rational for cleaning them off with water and then vinegar when I’ve heard some things keep better for storage if you leave on the protective barrier of good bacteria and/or whatever the item puts out naturally as a defense. Like I’ve heard that people that have chickens don’t wash eggs and they can leave them out of refrigeration longer because of that. Same for potatoes I think too. Good storage is so confusing for me sometimes. Is it because it’s fruit is hard skinned and won’t suffer as much from the damp, and since it’s a fruit containing seeds and not an egg designed to stay viable out in the world long enough to hatch so it’s got it’s extra protection besides just a hard shell?

[@kendra9894]

Still helpful Sept 2024!

[@gregpetzel3384]

Great video! Is it possible leave them on the vine too long before the first hard frost?

[@katiecheney5705]

Could you address what to do if you get a early killing frost? I’m zone 4 in Idaho . Thanks

[@DebbieGraham-j2x]

My niece gave me a spaghetti squash from her garden, it was partially yellow and has now turned a limeish green all over, is this normal? How long will it take for it to turn all yellow?

[@martijohnson2096]

Melissa I have a lot of delicata squash that I will be harvesting in the next month or so. Will I be able to keep it in the house?!? In the absence of 80° heat where should I cute it? On wire shelves? I live in Concrete and my husband just built us a cold room. I really want to make the best of our land and facilities and would love a consult.... Any chance?

[@jeffhenderson3184]

Melissa! Thanks for all the info. I harvested a lot of butternut squash three weeks or so ago. Without knowing anything about “curing,” I just let them stay outside in high temps for about a week, then brought them in and washed and dried them, let them sit in hot garage for 2 weeks, then finally moved them into the house in an open cardboard box. No vinegar wash. Now that I’ve seen your video… do you think my squash is likely “cured”? Even if by accident. Lol Also, they’ve been in my house for a few weeks, should I do the vinegar wash? Also, are they ok to sit in the OPEN cardboard box? And how long do you think they’ll last? Sorry for all the questions. I’m totally new at this. 😂

[@MelissaKNorris]

Sounds like it should be cured, check the stems, as long as there's airflow in the box they should be good. Depends on the variety, some last longer than others, anywhere from 3 months to a year

[@208amanda_martinez]

How long do the squash have to cure outside?

[@macmommahammer7197]

My whole squash plant is dead with powdery mildew. The stems on my squash though are still green but most of the fruit has hard enough skin too pass the thumb nail test. Do I leave them or harvest?

[@MelissaKNorris]

If they seem ripe I'd harvest

[@kneesa123]

How do u store them in the house? Wire basket still

[@MelissaKNorris]

Usually on the open shelves of my kitchen and pantry floor/shelves

[@sandrahawn1486]

I HAVE SEVERAL GREEN LARGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH. I LIVE IN NORTHERN NY AND WONDER IF THESE WILL CONTINUE TO MATURE OR NOT. THEY ACTUALLY FELL OFF THE VINE. I ONLY HAVE ONE THAT IS VERY LIGHT YELLOW. THE GREEN ONES DO HAVE AREAS OF BRIGHT YELLOW ON UPPER 3RD ON ONE SIDE. SHOULD I JUST TOSS THEM??

[@shawner4640]

will a light frost hurt butternut squash or is just the hard frost I need to worry about?? My squash is not quite ready yet and I was hoping I can leave them alone a bit longer

[@MelissaKNorris]

@@shawner4640 it won't hurt the squash but if it's enough to kill the plant, harvest the squash, repeated frosts will damage it

[@shawner4640]

@@MelissaKNorris thankyou

[@thetobaccoguy1751]

I planted Blue Hubbard this year for the primary purpose of storage. Supposedly, they will keep 6-8 months in the cellar. My first fruit is probably 10 lbs!

[@carinrichardson]

Hi Melissa, what kind of boots are you wearing?

[@pattihayden8100]

Great video but I still have a question...I just took some butternut squash off and the stems looked pretty dry, and they have a fluid that’s oozing out of the stem. Should I use those immediately? It happened to a few others I took off earlier this month and they are oozing still. Is this normal? Did I ruin them?

[@MelissaKNorris]

Hi @Patti Hayden your squash is fine, it just means they weren't fully ripe when picked. I just let mine continue curing if I'm not using them right away (a few of mine did that) and don't worry about it.

[@pattihayden8100]

Melissa K. Norris - Modern Homesteading Thank you so much! I was worried about losing so many in my haste 😊

[@stephanygates6491]

Butternut squash lasts me more than 1 year at room temp.

[@danvankouwenberg7234]

Hell yeah.

[@momma1208]

Wow!! How can you tell when it's starting to turn and should be used?

[@roberthaskell2983]

Subscribed

[@owenpine311]

It see you have your pumpkins and spaghetti squash growing right next to each other. Do you seed save from those? Every time I grow any two squash varieties close together, they cross pollinate. Just curious!

[@MelissaKNorris]

You have to hand pollinate squash for seed saving, they'll cross even if planted a part.

[@owenpine311]

@@MelissaKNorris Thanks! I don't know much about seed saving yet. I'm just starting to research. Good to know!

[@conan1267]

One year my spaghetti squash had cool green speckles from the zucchini

[@owenpine311]

@@conan1267 Last year, we had what we called pumpkini. Not very good!

[@krickette5569]

Can Patty pan/Scallop squash be stored in this manner?

[@MelissaKNorris]

No summer squash varieties don't generally store well

[@garyritterstrings]

I like it

[@nicoleboudreau2744]

When and how to harvest pumpkins

[@marlasuep03]

how do you keep animals from raiding your food while it cures? :-)

[@cathykieser53]

What about sweet potatoes? What is the proper way to harvest and cure?

[@MelissaKNorris]

Unfortunately I'm too far north to grow them, you cure them in high temps as well but don't spray them down before hand, leave them dirty as they cure then brush off the dried dirt later. They need to cure I believe in 80 to 85 degrees F temps

[@michellepernula872]

Better to pour liquids like vinegar INTO the paper towel instead of dropping it into the vinegar....as chemicals in the paper towels contaminate the vinegar and will change the vinegar chemistry.

[@marlymarmala91]

Oooh that makes sense. Good for me to know!

[@robinlillian9471]

Do you have a vestibule or dry, unheated area in your basement? Put them there.

[@MelissaKNorris]

I don't have a basement or garage or protected crawl space

[@lindseyalbaugh2606]

What boots are you wearing in this video?

[@jadirab2369]

Hi Melissa I really enjoyed your video. We are growing baby bush squash for the first time and we picked our first one before the stem was brown. How do we let It ripped further? Indoors on our shelf as well or outdoors? We are Afraid we won’t be able to eat it!