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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: PaulaB on August 09, 2010, 21:04:21
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I brought seeds for this acorn squash from real seeds and its growing well but how do you know if its ready to pick?
here is a picture of one
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/PaulaSB/052.jpg)
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Just leave it till the plant withers and dies off, if frost come first then pull it.It needs to be fully mature to store.
Cure in a warm place, outside is fine if weather permits, it will be cured when your fingernail pressed into the skin leaves no mark
Store in a cool place .
The flavour improves in storage as the starches turn to sugar so after pulling it needs at least a couple or three weeks minimum in storage, it will get better if left longer.
Wipe it down wth a 10% bleach solution to kill any bacteria.
Leave a long stem on it and don't carry it by the stem.
You can pick it earlier, it would be a shame though as it won't have as good a flavour.
If you wish to save seeds the plant has to be fully mature
XX Jeannine