Garden
Winter Squash
From vine to pantry: when to harvest, how to cure, and where to store the season’s squash.
01
Look for a hard rind
A mature squash has deep, solid color and a dull, hard rind that resists a fingernail.
02
Harvest before hard frost
Bring mature squash indoors before a hard frost threatens. A light frost may kill the vines, but a hard frost can damage the fruit. Illinois
03
Cut, don’t pull
Use pruners or a sharp knife to leave about 2 inches of stem attached. Handle the squash itself so the stem doesn’t break.
04
Store cool and airy
Keep squash in a cool, dry place around 50–55°F, ideally in a single layer with space between fruits. Use bruised or damaged squash first.
05
Cure most varieties
Cure most squash in a warm spot for about 10 days. Skip curing acorn, delicata, and sweet dumpling varieties. Illinois
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