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The Hollyberry Lady · 09-04-2009, 10:34 AM

Summer Squash & Winter Squash...

All squash should have their stems cut 2" from fruits with a sharp knife.

Summer Squash: Harvest the ordinary and golden zucchini fruits when they are 4-6 inches long (or even smaller). Harvest the round zucchini when it is 3-4" wide, the zucchini - scallop squash hybrid when it's 2-3" across.

It's usually best to harvest straightneck squash when they are less than 5 or 6" long, crookneck and scallop squashes when they a 2-3" wide. If you allow summer squashes to grow larger than this, test them for tenderness with your thumbnail (it should pierce the skin easiy). If your summer squash become large and tough, hollow them out and cook them stuffed, or shred them for zucchini cake or bread.

Winter Squash: Harvest winter squash in late Autumn after the vines have dried but before the first heavy frost. The skins of the fruit should be hard and unscratchable when tested with your thumbnail. Stems are thick; cut them with a sharp knife, leaving a 2 inch stub on the fruit.

: )

09-04-2009, 10:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,395,424 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Harvesting Tips... Summer Squash & Winter Squash... All squash should have their stems cut 2" from fruits with a sharp knife. Summer Squash: Harvest the ordinary and golden zucchini fruits when they are 4-6 inches long (or even smaller). Harvest the round zucchini when it is 3-4" wide, the zucchini - scallop squash hybrid when it's 2-3" across. It's usually best to harvest straightneck squash when they are less than 5 or 6" long, crookneck and scallop squashes when they a 2-3" wide. If you allow summer squashes to grow larger than this, test them for tenderness with your thumbnail (it should pierce the skin easiy). If your summer squash become large and tough, hollow them out and cook them stuffed, or shred them for zucchini cake or bread. Winter Squash: Harvest winter squash in late Autumn after the vines have dried but before the first heavy frost. The skins of the fruit should be hard and unscratchable when tested with your thumbnail. Stems are thick; cut them with a sharp knife, leaving a 2 inch stub on the fruit. : )