You know when to pick a squash when the skin is firm, the color is deep and even, and a quick press with your thumbnail barely leaves a dent.   That little test tells you more than any calendar date ever will.   If you’ve ever stood in the garden … Read more

You can know when to pick a butternut squash by checking its color, skin, and stem.   A ripe butternut squash is beige, not green, and its skin is hard enough that your fingernail won’t leave a dent.   The stem should be brown, dry, and slightly shriveled, which tells … Read more

You know it’s time to harvest yellow squash when the fruits are firm, glossy, and about 6 to 8 inches long with tender skin that you can easily pierce with a fingernail.   If you’ve been wondering how to know when to harvest yellow squash, the answer mostly comes down … Read more

You know when to harvest summer squash when the fruits are young, tender, and about 6 to 8 inches long for most varieties.   That’s the sweet spot where the flavor is best, the skin is soft enough to eat, and the seeds inside haven’t turned hard and woody yet. … Read more

You can know when to harvest spaghetti squash when the skin has turned a deep, solid color and a fingernail can’t easily puncture it.   That’s the simple answer, but there’s more to it than just color.   If you’ve ever stood in your garden staring at a big yellow … Read more

You know it’s time to harvest kabocha squash when the stem turns corky and brown, the skin hardens to the point you can’t dent it with a fingernail, and the squash feels noticeably heavier than it looks.   That’s the short answer to the question of how to know when … Read more

You can know when to harvest delicata squash when the skin has thickened and can’t be dented with a fingernail.   That’s the simplest and most reliable sign, and it works whether you’re growing delicata squash in a backyard garden or a raised bed.   But there are a few … Read more

Knowing when summer squash is ready to pick comes down to a few simple visual and tactile clues that anyone can learn quickly.   Summer squash is one of those crops that tastes best when it’s picked young and tender, so timing really matters here.   If you wait too … Read more

You know when to harvest buttercup squash when the skin has turned a deep, solid green and the rind is hard enough that you can’t dent it with a fingernail.   If you’ve been staring at your buttercup squash in the garden wondering whether it’s finally time to grab the … Read more

You know spaghetti squash is cooked when a fork or knife glides through the flesh with little to no resistance.   The skin should also give slightly when you press it, and the inside strands will separate easily into spaghetti-like threads.   If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen staring … Read more