Squash should be ready to harvest this month. Check for size and colour.
Growing Calendar
This month: Oct
Log to journalReady to harvest now
- •Check size and ripeness
- •Harvest regularly
- •Store or use fresh
Watch Out For
Powdery mildew spreads across leaves in late summer: improve airflow and remove worst-affected foliage promptly to slow its spread
Slugs devastate young plants in wet conditions: protect with copper tape or grit and only plant out once plants are sturdy enough to recover
Fruit left sitting on damp soil will rot: raise developing fruits on a tile or piece of wood as they swell
Common Questions
About growing Squash in the UK
What is the difference between summer and winter squash?
Summer squash (courgettes, pattypan) are harvested young with soft skins and eaten fresh. Winter squash (butternut, acorn, crown prince) develop thick, hard skins and are cured for long-term storage. In the UK, growing season for winter squash is short: start early under glass.
How do I know when winter squash is ready to harvest?
Harvest winter squash when the skin cannot be dented with a fingernail, the stem has begun to dry and cork over, and the colour is fully developed. In the UK, harvest before the first hard frost: typically September to October.
Why is my squash not setting fruit?
Poor fruit set is usually caused by insufficient pollination. Hand-pollinate by using a paintbrush to transfer pollen from a male flower (no swelling behind petals) to a female flower (tiny squash behind petals). Do this on a warm morning for best results.
How do I store winter squash?
Cure harvested squash by leaving them in a warm, dry place (ideally 27–32°C) for 10–14 days to harden the skin. Then store in a cool, dry, frost-free space. Well-cured butternut squash can last 3–6 months; crown prince and Hubbard types even longer.
Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach
Members
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