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Submitted by lambert on Thu, 08/21/2008 - 7:15pm
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When should I pick the winter squash, anyhow? When is it ready?
Is winter squash like zucchini, that should really be picked small, or can I just let them keep growing even past their current gargantuan proportions.
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It's ready when it's heavy and solid but not woody yet
so you can either pull that one and set it up to keep, pull it and fix it to eat, or let it go and see if it'll win you a prize at the local fair. Up to you.
Of course, if the plant's not putting on more, that one's getting all the nutrients, so if you like the flavor of that one ... next year you'll need more plants. { ;>) )
We can admit that we're killers ... but we're not going to kill today. That's all it takes! Knowing that we're not going to kill today! ~ Captain James T. Kirk, Stardate 3193.0
How do I tell if it's woody
[stop that snickering] without picking it? Heavy and solid, it is.
And the plant is putting on more. I've had very good luck with my squash this year.
[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.
I'm clueless
But you should ask somebody who knows!
Squash?
Ick.
just ick.
Mature squash
Winter squash, regardless of type, are mature when the skin becomes hardened to the point that it is difficult to break with a thimbnail. You will also notice a change in appearnace, s the skin shifts from shiny and flexible to dry, dull and hard. With the larger varieties like your turban I always give them a thump with my knuckles; when mature, they make a hollow sound that is quite distinct from an immature pepo.
August seems a little early for harvest in your part of the country. I should think another four weeks would be about right for the first picking. There is no lower size limit; when frost hits, pick them all regardless of size and eat the smallest ones first.
As soon as harvested, wash the fruit with tepid water and rinse thoroughly with or dip into a 1% solution of Clorox in cool water. Pat dry with a towel, then allow to air-dry overnight before storing. This process will remove soil and dust and kill off any corrupting organisms. Failure to take this step will result in faster occurence and higher rates of spoilage.
Winter squash do not benefit from a "finishing" process like pumpkins; store them immediately in a dark, cool place and inspect them regularly for signs of spoilage. Remove any softening individuals immediately.
How'd the meeting with congresscritter go?
I assume badly, or you would have written about it.
[ ] Very tepidly voting for Obama [ ] ?????. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.
2nd that
i'm curious too. also, i'd like to hear about somebody else's experience before i tackle mine in person.
And we'll want a video
of said tackling! :-)
Go Global!
maybe i could sell tickets to the screening
but no, there won't be video. video is off the table.
Don't go all Pelosi on us, Hip!
*Sigh* That would have been fun though :-(
Go Global!
Yes, badly
but still unfinished. Once the tempers unflared slightly a promise was made to think things over and get back to me. Still waiting on that followup, seems to me fair to let the old fool have some time to think things through, but if he doesn't get back to me soon I'll have no choice but to call him out. Politics is not a science, and nobody wants to talk about the sausage-making aspect but still, if you are going to hold yourself out as a progressive in favor of UHC then it seems to me you should be pressing ahead on all fronts. Pity.
I think that you should
I think that you should check out some of the books by Rodale Press. I found them to be very helpful when I had a garden.