|
Fri, Aug 17, 12 at 17:41
| Practically all of the vines in my winter squash patch have died or are dying back due to a combination of bugs, powdery mildew, drought and just plain "this season was brutal, I'm done." Anyway, my patch is in a community garden and critters are beginning to take bites from the fruit. The patch includes delicata, butternut, kabocha type squash and buttercup. My question is this:
Should I leave all the fruit in place until all the vines are absolutely (do the fruit derive benefit from even feeble vines) dead or should I harvest them and cure them at home? Some of the butternuts are still green. I'm afraid the animals will ruin them. Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Preventing animal access to them would be the best approach. If that isn't anyway possible then I'd at least harvest any that have well dried stems. They will store for a while at least. The rest, especially the green ones need to remain if you can come up with any possible solution - even an inverted 5 gallon bucket over them if nothing else. Otherwise you might as well pick and compost them. Dave |
|
| I often eat immature winter squash, they can be surprisingly good, prepared like summer squash when the rinds are still palatable. |
|
| Sure, you can eat them, they just won't store any longer than zucchini. They're good grilled. |
|
| Thanks. I will leave them on the vines as long as possible. Also, the issue of wiping/washing with a bleach solution is on my mind. Carol Deppe doesn't bother, others swear by it and some say it makes the squash decay even faster. Any thoughts? |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.