Winter squash are tender, warm-weather crops very similar to summer squashes. But, winter squashes—unlike summer squashes—must fully mature on the vine before harvest. Summer squashes can be picked and eaten immature; they have a succulent texture. Winter squashes are drier and more fibrous than summer squashes. Winter squashes include acorn, banana, buttercup, butternut, cushaw delicious,…
Winter Squash
How to Store Winter Squash
Winter squash refers to squash planted in spring, grown in summer, harvested in fall, and stored for winter use. Winter squash requires more days to reach maturity than summer squash. Winter squash stores well while summer squash does not. Winter squash when harvested must be prepared for storage. Preparation is simple—called curing—and requires little effort….
Melon, Squash, and Cucumber Growing Success Tips
Melons, squash, and cucumbers grow best where the summer is hot, dry, and almost always sunny. The best flavored of these gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) crops will come from the hottest growing regions. Both cloudy and rainy weather will slow and all but stop Cucurbit growth. Heat Requirements Melons, squash, and cucumbers grow best when both…
How to Prepare and Roast Butternut and Other Winter Squash
Butternut squash is easy to prepare and roast. You simply peel and seed the squash, cut it into 1-inch chunks, toss the chunks with olive oil, salt, and pepper, spread the chunks evenly on a baking sheet, and roast at 375°F for 40 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Once cooked toss the squash…
Squashes for Winter Cooking
Butternut squash, acorn and Delicata squash, Hubbard and kabocha squash—all of these are winter squashes—you cook and serve them when the weather turns cold. Winter squashes are grown in the summer just like summer squashes, but instead of picking and serving them tender and immature (like summer squash), winter squashes mature on the vine, are…
Squash and Pumpkin Growing Tips
Squash Planting and Growing Facts: • Squashes and pumpkins are members of the gourd family. Summer squashes and pumpkins originated in Mexico and Central America. Most winter squashes originated in or near the Andes in northern Argentina. • Summer squashes–zucchini, patty pans and cocozelles (Italian for vegetable marrows)–have whitish or yellow flesh. They are the…
Squash Growing Problems: Troubleshooting
Squash growing success will come with a few simple growing strategies: • Plant several squash plants. This will ensure at least one is successful and survives pests and diseases. Stagger planting times or plant seed and transplants at the same time for continuous harvest. • Give squash the space recommended. Check spacing requirements for each…
How to Grow Winter Squash
Winter squash is a frost-tender, warm-season annual. Winter squash is grown to maturity on the vine, until the skin is very hard (unlike summer squash which is harvested while the skin is still tender). Popular winter squashes include hubbard, butternut, acorn, delicious, banana, Turk’s turban, cushaw, and spaghetti squash. Sow winter squash seeds in the…
Squash Growing
Native Americans called it isquoutersquash. The British call it marrow. Squash is the American English term. Zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins grow best once the air temperature averages 65ºF (18ºC). That means squash can be sown in late spring just about everywhere, and if you live in a long growing season region where…
Cooking Winter Squash
Winter squashes are the most plentiful from early autumn until late winter. Unlike the summer squashes, the winter squashes must be cooked before they are eaten. Add winter squash to soups, stews, couscous, and curries. Use winter squash to make pies, cakes, muffins, cookies, pudding, soufflés, and cream desserts. Choose a winter squash—such as the…