Thelma saunder sweet potato squash

[PaulaB]

I brought seeds for this acorn squash from real seeds and its growing well but how do you know if its ready to pick?
here is a picture of one

[PaulaB]

[Jeannine]

Just leave it till the plant withers and dies off, if frost come first then pull it.It needs to be fully mature to store.

Cure in a warm place, outside is fine if weather permits, it will be cured when your fingernail pressed into the skin leaves no mark

Store in a cool place .

The flavour improves in storage as the starches turn to sugar so after pulling it needs at least a couple or three weeks minimum in storage, it will get better if left longer.

Wipe it down wth a 10% bleach solution to kill any bacteria.

Leave a long stem on it and don't carry it by the stem.

You can pick it earlier, it would be a shame though as it won't have as good a flavour.

If you wish to save seeds the plant has to be fully mature


XX Jeannine