Morning folks and happy Waitangi Day!
This is the first year i have successfully grown squash and pumpkin - there are heaps of them, so many that i want to save them. Ive heard that they need to "harden off" on the vine if you want to store them over winter. What does harden mean, how long do i need to leave them on the vine to harden off and how do I know they are ready to be removed and stored? They are big, green and look like alien pods...my front lawn is full of food and looks awesome (well, to me anyway..the neighbours think its odd and won't plant gardens!!!!). Your wise advice is more than welcome!
xxxx to you and your families,
Steph
Replies
Thanks for all of the replies - i was tempted to pick them early but will leave on the vines until they die off. Awesome stuff! cheers and many thanks again, steph
Hi Steph, I loved your description of your pumpkins & squash - put a smile on my face! You can be the leading light in your neighbourhood - the above advice is excellent. Additionally, you may consider storing 'high and dry' - if you have some rafters in your garage. Being up off the ground, with good air circulation is good - be it raised up on some planks, or... ? Be proud to keep leading the charge!
p.s. bet you got a heck of a lot of biodiversity going on in your yard compared to the neighbours (but hey - who's counting?!)
LOL - don't worry about the neighbours - let your food grow wherever you want! :)
In my own experience of growing pumpkins and squash, I have left them on the vine until the vine is dying, then I cut them leaving about a 3 inch stalk, and stand them on something clean (like newspaper or cardboard) in the garden for a couple of days, then put them in a cool, dry, dark place. I freeze some, and I use the stored fresh ones first so they don't have a chance of spoiling. Having said that, they do tend to keep a fair while. I'd love to hear what others do to save their pumpkins...always a good learning curve on here :)
Hi Steph, I was going to say exactly what Lynn has said! :-) Depends what varieties you have grown as to how well/long they will keep so you need to eat the shorter keepers first. When you store them do make sure it is dry and that they don't touch one another. Also that there are no cuts or wounds where mould can grow. Use those first.