How to Tell When to Harvest Winter Squash

[@nancyandrews8862]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the closeups and the details. No more anxiety as I pass my squash in the garden!

[@thepandaman]

I love winter squash - we've still eating up the last of our butternut from last year that have been sat on the windowsill in a cool room for 11 months now :) One more veg we're self-sufficient in year round! Another tip I heard to add to what was mentioned on the video was not to cut them off too close to the top if you're not sure - leave a bit of stem in case they bleed, so they've got sufficient stem to dry up and seal the cut.

[@ProctorsGamble]

Ditto that

[@nadenecummings7889]

I'm trying to leave a question for some reason it's not letting me quick on click on and put it in a question for you so I had to account somebody else's assist comment in order to do this but I'm wondering that if there's this poetry quite stuff on the leaves of your zucchini or your spaghetti squash plant or even cucumbers is that blight Is he and can't that be put into your Apple's pile or is that unsafe

[@thepandaman]

@@nadenecummings7889 Hi Nadene, all the cucurbits (squash, pumpkin, cucumber, melon) are susceptible to powdery mildew on the leaves I find. It helps to keep the leaves dry when watering, only water around the base. Personally I'll still compost those leaves along with everything else at the end of the season. Hopefully that's what you're asking, I think there was some auto-correct going on!

[@wendyrossman3756]

First year growing squash. Thank you so much

[@theSTEE7ERS58]

Thank you excellent information, my 1st garden ever

[@freygirl4life]

You are so helpful. I play your videos as I am planting and learning. Thank you for all of this. Any TN gardening advice is appreciated! Clay down here.

[@mairzydotes3548]

The chard looks beautiful!

[@Alizardlovesyou]

Omg! I needed this video so bad!!! Thank you, thank you!! ♥️🪴🤗

[@sophisticatmom]

Perfect timing! It's my first year growing winter squash and I've been wondering exactly this - are they ready to harvest yet? Apparently they are! 😋 Thank you for this information!

[@Myrtle2911]

Super helpful! Thanks! I grew winter squash for the first time this year, and I've been having difficulty telling when they are ripe. My biggest enigma has been the buttercup squash because it's a dark green variety. It starts green and ends green.

[@hawkrose8403]

Thank you Luke. I’m growing butternut squash this year for the first time. I was asking myself when I should harvest it and I didn’t know hence the first time. Now I know. Thanks 🙏

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Ha! We're on the same page. We filmed our video on the harvesting squash last week too! Cheers from Minnesota!

[@cloudwolfbane7704]

That was very helpful thank you. I have a bunch of hybrid squash that cross pollinated so the color change method doesn’t work, having other ways to check is super helpful

[@es-hs9fd]

Thanks so much! I learned A LOT! I’ve got a lot of volunteer squash’s growing in my garden and now when to pick them! I subscribed to your channel too. Enjoy your harvest!

[@awrinkleintimeyesterday6067]

Thank you this is very helpful. I am growing Italian trombone squash that I mostly harvest as summer squash but can be grown to be winter squash, I want to try one as a winter squash and had no idea when to harvest. Your rainbow swiss chard looks gorgeous! Mine gets so eaten by pests every year I can only grow in the early Spring.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

Growing Tahitian butternut for the first time this year. Although I lost a lot of my other squash varieties to squash vine borers, the butternut types are resistant, and the Tahitian is no exception. I severely underestimated how big the plants would get, as they completely took over every last inch of the garden and have spread over the yard as well. The gourds can get 3 ft long when mature, and I've got them lying all over the ground.

[@ItalianoDelSud7]

Came back to this video later in the season as i have dozens of butternut and acorn squashes just about ready 😁 finally have one passing the fingernail test but have been afraid to pick it as its smaller (compared to a super market).

[@CatsMeowington]

I am in zone 6B and my butternuts are ready to cut because of ALL of the five steps you went over. Suggestions for improvement on the subject. 1. I don't really look much at the fruit when the plant itself is growing well and vibrant, 2. always harvest BEFORE the first frost, 3. the squash will cure or ripen to some level even if the fingernail test punctures the skin but you can still wait awhile to see if that improves, but harvest anyway if frost is coming or the skin spots are getting too much, 4. store in dry, somewhat elevated level, and around 50F and not too cold 32F., 5. eat them so they don't go bad after too long in storage, look at them. Thank you, you did an excellent job doing, explaining and showing the fingernail test with a riper one and a not so ripe one. Good job!

[@shawner4640]

will the first light frosts hurt the squash Mine are not ready to harvest yet and are just starting to turn What do you think

[@krysstevecrimi1482]

Very helpful. I was juuuuust wondering if my squash was ready :-) Thank you!

[@karismrie]

Butternut seems to be more resistant to squash borer. I'm growing vertically for the first time and was worried they might break off before ripening. Thanks for the tips!

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I have over 25 all grown upright. Not one has fallen. I was hoping that would reduce the powdery mildew but no such luck.

[@donnahhaisley351]

Great info! I’ve been staring at my butternut squash wondering when to pick. Thank you so much!!!

[@rachelmiller7722]

Powdery mildew was unusually rampant this season! I live in a desert and it still killed all of my melons and cucumbers, and now my squash/pumpkins. Fortunately, I think most of my squash ripened in time. Did a big harvest yesterday and put them in the garden shed on wire racks to cure. My question is, will they get “sweeter” if left out in the garden in the sun, even if the vines have fully died back?

[@ClintL63]

Have you ever tried spraying whey on your plants? I found it works very well; I dilute it about 50% with water; do it BEFORE powdery shows up; whey eats all the sugars that powder eats; btw: leave out a gallon of milk, and when it seperates to white curds and the bottom clear is the whey

[@RedNicole22]

@@ClintL63 thanks for sharing. I just gave up, it was so bad this year. I sprayed milk last year and it helped a little, but not much. This year we’re moving so I didn’t feel like doing that process every week. I will try this next time. Do you start early in the season or a closer to Aug?

[@TravelswithLucky]

Excellent! Just what I needed to hear. Best way to store winter squash? Unrelated question.... you are growing something on the fence in what looks like pvc pipe. What is that all about?

[@jplant1414]

Being in zone 4, my biggest question is about end-of-season, concerns for frost, and taking in squash that are not ready yet. More than 50% of my crop are large enough and well formed, but no hint of color change yet. I"ll leave them as long as I can, but when the temp demands that I take them in, how should the immature squash be handled? Are they edible? Do they need to be used up quickly? Will they ripen and cure off the vine? If so, are there tips and tricks to help that process along? Cheers.

[@shirleycourtney1138]

This year in my little garden it has been the year of the peppers for me! I planted 3 NadaPenos & 2 Bananas I've literally had 100's! My Thai is loaded & they're turning red! I'm just loving it! Thanks for teaching me so much!

[@RedNicole22]

So happy for you. I hope you can overwinter them.

[@mindofmadness5593]

I put in raised bed this year. Took all Summer and still not done, however, the first ones I planted as I built and filled. First one has some peas, radished and, apparently, a squash. Probanbly Kershaw-the seed got mixed in and planted by accident about two months ago. Been seeing lots of flowers but zero fruit. I have maybe 60 days before first frosts. Lost cause? I can pull and feed in some Fall/Winter hardy plants. Zone 8.

[@JustNeedCoffee7]

Thank You, first year growing squash. Looked on the seed package, but didn’t write down when I planted it. Going to check them now!

[@rosemarystanley1363]

We grew Waltham butternut squash from MIgardener seed this year. The vines were so vigorous. We harvested 3 this week, and there are many more still finishing up. We’ll definitely plant them again next year.

[@aquaticcatfey]

I have Galeux d'Eysines (a French heirloom _Cucurbita maxima_ pumpkin) growing all over half of my yard. I found the sprouts coming up in my compost bin in April, although they'd probably been growing for longer than that (the pumpkin guts had been in there since November) The rinds are hard and have developed the salmon-pink color and "scabby" texture that characterize mature fruit from the cultivar, the nearby tendrils are drying up, and the stems are getting woody. But there still seems to be some living tissue in the stems; and while there's been some die-back of the leaves, the vines are still very lively, and still putting out new growth and even new fruit. I'll probably give them at least another week; but they actually seem like they're ready to harvest or nearly so.

[@benitaedge201]

I've heard of the thumbnail test but wasn't sure how much pressure to use. That's for explaining that!

[@audreyperry1899]

Perfect video, it got across everything necessary. Thank you!

[@anniechen4914]

Thank you Luke! I always learn so much about gardening from your videos!

[@moniquekendel5782]

We had a horrible summer and so many people produced very little. My cucumber and squash all got mildew fought it as best I could maybe produced six cucumbers all summer finally had to pull it. I'm also in zone 3 in Manitoba so you have very little growing time. Most of my female flowers for my spaghetti squash came out so late that I managed to grow five squash in all. One was eating badly by a squirrel the other is I just eventually pulled all the plants so I have 4 decent size squash but they are still green I was told to put them in the sun which is what I did with the first one and it did turn yellow. I accidentally cut the main stem. I also had them growing vertically and was told they shouldn't be hanging. Next year I will have an arch to have them growing on and yes technically they will still be vertical but I'll have to cover them with netting to protect them once they've been pollinated which I had to do all but 1 by hand. So so many squash never got pollinated it was heartbreaking and I hope it's better next year.. I grew everything from seed which I'm pretty proud of but it was simply too hot and dry over here

[@jackiehorsley9263]

those are some great ways to tell when winter squash Is ready to pick I my self look at the color as well as the dried up tendrils

[@lidip8700]

We grew our first butternut squash from seeds of one my daughter bought for my birthday dinner she made. Thanks for the quick-to-the-facts video! I was harvesting our ghost peppers & Carolina peppers today & noticed the color change in one of the 3 squash. So I quickly did a search for the MIGARDENER for information, and BAM! I got every question answered in less then 15 minutes!! (I tell my friends & family about your videos that I'm subscribed to.) And just recently I found yall have a store!! Yep, gotta get some of your fertilizer!! RUMBLE would be a better place with the MIGARDENER.... hint, hint! ;) *Suggestion: make videos showing how to share garden experience with the next generation... your daughter!! They don't teach these skills in school anymore.

[@emdeejay7432]

Lots of good tips, and im planning on growing butternut and spaghetti squash this year. So these tips will come in handy.

[@off_lineofficial]

You're lucky getting some rain. Haven't had rain in over a month here in NW Indiana.

[@published1789]

Thank you. Mine are trained up vertically and it all got too heavy so I had to pick one off about 4 weeks ago -- definitely too young, but we are enjoying watching it to see if it can mature that last bit and harden up on its own. So far it's pretty good, but I think we'll call it good and roast it up soon, whatever it looks inside! [Crown prince squash, by the way -- and it managed on a vertical frame way better than I thought it would, but it has to be sturdy and you have to tie it in every day when in strong growth.]

[@alanroach1565]

Excellent.......you're showing "maturity"

[@debbieherring2644]

Your video is a tremendous help! I have a couple dozen butternut squash still on the vine (I’m zone 4 northern Michigan) and I was wondering how to tell when they’re ready to harvest. Thank you so much for this very timely video! God bless❤️

[@markstevenson9080]

Thank you so much for the timely advice. Can you believe I have one from last year? ha!

[@JayJohnson-gz1fv]

I grow winter squash here in N.C. and I go by the color and the wrinkles that appear on the squash and the development and that is an indicator to harvest for me.

[@patriciakhan2029]

I live in the Caribbean and this squash grew by itself in my driveway is was always white and still is even though it is 22 ins long I did the nail test a d my nail puncture the skin 4ins from the stem

[@dutchgoalie935]

Just ordered a couple types of mustard off your website… no Idea what I’m doing, but it look fun. Maybe a guide on that?

[@sarahbehler5437]

Just was wondering if I can plant some mustard! Planted some this past Spring. They were peppery if raw, a bit spicy, but cooked they were sweet and delicious! Thinking of planting some mustard and some swiss chard! Hoping it isn’t too late! (Salty Coast of Ct. , 7b ish zone)

[@wayneu1233]

Just in time! I have 14 butternut squash on the vine!

[@veggiequeen2738]

😮

[@sueweathers3978]

I'm jealous we only have one.. It's big but not quite ready😊

[@sarahbehler5437]

@@sueweathers3978 I grew ONE Pumpkin last year! It was small but I was so proud of the little thing! Congratulations on your squash! Be proud! 😊

[@TheSimArchitect]

Thanks for the tip! Being colorblind it would be impossible for me to see the subtle difference in color (to be honest I didn't know they changed the color, they just seem to grow, then stop growing, then Halloween time comes and I feel like it's time to harvest. I am always impressed to see how fast your plants grow and how successful you're harvesting. I am still waiting for my tomatoes to grow (the fruits) and get (hopefully) ripe or at least acceptable to harvest (they tend to go bad before ripening, maybe next year I will have success starting my tomatoes early without them dying from a surprise snow fall like we had this year).

[@bobbydogbear1710]

My two year old likes to make up songs about squishing squashes. They better get ripe soon.

[@isabellacam4775]

I don't have squash but I'm always curious on how to know when and how to harvest things. It's one of the things I'm most confused about. I've started studying herbalism. Thank you for this video!

[@emdeejay7432]

God I love that arched trellis. I wanna build one so bad, they are so cool and look very sturdy, like I could even grow cantaloupe or squash on it, and the stuff for it isn't even that expensive.

[@geraldineheywood1728]

If spaghetti squash isn't totally ready is it ok to eat? Thank you. This was very helpful 👍

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

It's perfectly safe to eat any unripened squash. They just won't have as long a shelf life, so you have to get to them sooner. Also, an immature spaghetti squash may not have developed the stringy texture inside yet, but it's still okay to eat.

[@THB406]

Yes you can eat a spaghetti squash at anytime. When young and soft you can eat like a summer squash. There are recipes online you can find. I tried with one of mine that I knocked off the vine and it tasted good.

[@ClaireRousseau]

This was super helpful, thank you! Is the squash edible even if it's not ready to harvest? I have some butternut squash that detached from the vine accidentally when I was tending the plant, but it doesn't pass the fingernail test. It's only a small squash but I hate to waste it and it's the first one I've ever grown - is it actually edible yet / will it taste good?

[@reddog40]

Excellent information on the winter squash,thank you.

[@awiggins7031]

Thanks! Just wondering 'bout this samething today.

[@zoezwierzynski2053]

Thank you this was extremely helpful.

[@mattjames9755]

Right on time.... thanks ..

[@phillisik4426]

We usually pick our butternut squash after our first light frost(around mid October). The cooler weather enhances the flavor and they keep longer.

[@karagregg]

This is what my dad has always insisted on. Cold nights develop the sugars. Good to know as I am worried about the heat causing rot.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I'm trying to wait as well but I removed about 75 percent of my leaves because of powdery mildew. The fruit is still looking great. Nice and tan and stems starting to turn. Do you think the removal of so many leaves will hurt the fruit and should I also harvest early. I still have bad powdery mildew on most of the remaining leaves.

[@karagregg]

@@MichaelJosephJr934 I would say no because the leaves provide the needed energy for the plant by soaking up sun - once the fruit is set and developed there should be little impact to reduce the leaves.. To be honest I ignore late season powdery mildew, its par for the course with pumpkins and squash. Early season blight or mildew is a beast though.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

That's very helpful. Thank you.

[@AnitaWeddle-c6q]

Thank you. That was a question that I’ve been wondering about…😀

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Question: You mentioned due to powdery mildew you harvested early. I removed about 75 percent of my leaves for this reason. But the fruit is still looking great. Nice and tan and stems starting to turn. Do you think the removal of so many leaves will hurt the fruit and should I also harvest early. I still have bad powdery mildew on most of the remaining leaves. Thank You!

[@RedNicole22]

Same question. I left them on. Hopefully someone will answer.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

It was an amazing squash harvest this year

[@lilal3753]

I'll be growing winter squash next year. Great information! Thanks!

[@Carsonrose75]

Great informative video! I had a buttercup squash my husband got out of my garden (not sure if he checked for ripeness first)...after I cooked it tasted so sour! What would be the reason?

[@kim94503]

When I first started gardening and saw your videos I wanted just to know how to do it. I thought in your videos, you talked too much. Then after a few years and many fails later, I was surfing through youtube and watched another of your videos. Wow. The amount I learned from you. Since then you're my go to gardening videos. I've learned so much from you. I wish as a new gardener i would have slowed down, watched your videos and learned the why's as well as the hows. Hope that makes sense . Your videos are fantastic. Thank you.

[@sunniharrison9639]

Do you use a arched trellis for winter squash or a horizontal trellis?

[@triciawilliamson2081]

Thanks Luke. Needed this.

[@zachbelafi5956]

That Swiss chard is beautiful

[@aliciab6193]

I have cushaws, the green stripey ones. They are still not a dark enough green. I hope they are ready in time before it gets too cold. I want to make pies!

[@johnsonr9]

Good demo. Thanks.

[@AquarianSnflower]

Hi, My question is about planting Fall Crops. Which crops need a Hard Frost to taste better and Which Fall Crops will need a Frost Protection cover before Hard Frost?

[@clairee.wright6136]

Amazing; this video is perfect! (been googling for about an hour and not found this info). I have Boston Winter looking very large (lot of rain here in the UK this July 2023), but still very yellow. I will check them out now. I also have one smaller one with what must be this rust you also flagged up. Off I go, to rest them on a surface away from the slugs, on the plant. I think Boston winter are an quite early variety, but we will see! Thanks!

[@etet4536]

Thanks, Luke! Very helpful information.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Luke! Blessings! 💜

[@emilcurran7163]

good help.thanks

[@lanetravis5790]

Thank you👍 great job

[@jasminepetersen924]

Very informative and helpful! Thank you very much!

[@kathygamez9175]

Question: I live down in South Texas zone 9, I was wondering can I plant butternut squash now.

[@carissa7434]

Perfect timing!

[@sue8319]

Thanks for this informative video. Question, how/what to do with the walnuts? The squirrels get them first they are green and some liquid oozed from it when I tried to open it. Thanks. Waving to you from just west of you

[@jackierippert6344]

Very helpful!! Thank you!

[@DougPowell01]

This year we are growing delicata squash and it's supposed to be 90 to 100 days. I will wait as long as possible, but I'm a little concerned that the first Frost may come before it's completely done. Can you talk about curing in the sunshine, when it's off the vine?

[@liztrotter725]

Thank you! I will harvest tomorrow.

[@clarissamiles]

OMG! Thanks Luke! Just today, I was trying to figure out if my spaghetti squash was ready or not. I'll definitely use your 5 ways to check:)

[@toniearnest1861]

I live in an apartment and only have a few containers that I can grow in so I don't grow squash the only thing I get close to squash is zucchini and I love zucchini...But the info is good to know ... thanks !!! Love your videos !!! I have a question ...there is a white butterfly or moth flying around you in this video ...is that the one that lays eggs on the leaves of Kale and other leafy veges and the larva eats the leaves ...if it is what can you but on your plants to keep them away and will the veges be safe to eat after you treat them?

[@bonniemiller4371]

Can a Butternut squash ripen off the vine? Let's say the powdery mildew takes out the vine before the squash have completely matured.

[@yumcherrypie]

I have the same question. My toddler knocked my big gourd off before it was done.

[@TriggaTreDay]

I have a bigger squash as well and it fell off the vine will it was still green, but I’m not sure if it will ripen.

[@clairemorrison7711]

It will slowly. I had to research that as well as my 3 year old tried to help. It did say they won't store well (which makes sense with his explanation of skin toughness), so you'd want to eat soon after it ripens, or process and freeze

[@dmaingarden9951]

I was wondering the same.

[@quantafitness6088]

I have the same question 👍

[@lindamueller7592]

Thanks, this really helps!

[@denisemontie7986]

Thanks so much!

[@craigjohns7723]

Well done and well said

[@ProctorsGamble]

I just ate my last butternuts - from last year! Getting ready to harvest this year’s. Yummy!

[@angelsworld1733]

How did you store it that long, freezer?

[@ProctorsGamble]

@@angelsworld1733Make sure they are fully ripe not green. Store them in a dark cool place that air can circulate and check them once a week. Use those that show signs of softening first.

[@tammybyrd1054]

GREAT info! Thank you!

[@dorothyhughes1061]

Thank you!

[@maryrobison1984]

Uh oh...it froze last night (the vines did...they were still somewhat green). Is my squash ok? I'm going to pick them ! Lol

[@sonshine2030]

Can you process, preserve, freeze, can, butternut squash after an unexpected frost?

[@finagill]

Video suggestion - How about doing an experiment where you take half the seeds and coat them with Sassy Lass and a mycorrhizal compound and see how they do against untreated seeds?

[@shawner4640]

Just wondering if the first light frosts can hurt the squash as mine are not ready to harvest yet or will the mature off the vine if I picked early

[@gardeningperth]

Thanks for the tips!

[@melissafoster1228]

Same! Much needed.

[@cfdomingo2]

Very helpful

[@kimmitchell7239]

Had to harvest some of my butternut before it was ready so I'm wondering if it will be edible?

[@zhippidydoodah]

Mine were hit by frost, some were ripe, others weren't. A few are soft, so I think I just use them now. Think the hard ones that are the mellow orange colour are ok for storage?

[@angelsworld1733]

Mine is still green, the vine...I'm in Michigan too. I'm worried if it will turn brown like I've seen on other videos.

[@maryannepreston4685]

Very interesting- thx

[@esthert5191]

Ok When will the garlic be available for purchase- I don’t wanna miss out