when do you harvest spaghetti squash?

16 years ago

I am growing spaghetti squash for the first time, and I don't know when it's time to pick them. Is there a size guide, or other indicators?

Thanks,

Mrs H

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

gonefishin
16 years ago
When you have the meatballs and sauce ready ?? I give up. When?

Someone that has grown a lot of it will be along shortly to tell you their favorite size. I think to let it get fairly mature looking, test the skin with your thumbnail and try a few younger and older to find what suits you best.

Meanwhile, here see if this will help some.
Just my thoughts.
Bill P.
lilacs_of_may
16 years ago
Dang it, gonefishin! You stole my line! I was gonna say "when the meatballs are ripe."
Related Discussions
When to harvest squash
Q
Comments (16)
FWIW, and slightly OT: This is my first year using the Early Prolific Straight Necks. While I am already loving the "Early & Prolific" nature of these, as well as the "magazine photo quality" of them, I do notice that they don't have as much flavor as the crooknecks that I've grown in the past. The zucchini variety that I have is Black Beauty, I believe, and again, I sense that the flavor is lacking. I have another variety in there that's not ready yet...some Hybrid thing that had a mere 6 seeds in the packet, and it's orangey-yellow & white spotted. Am anxious to find out what that tastes like. So take all this with a few grains of salt...the flavor will be better for it ;)
...See More
Spaghetti squash - when to harvest?
Q
Comments (1)
Depending on the variety, white spagetti squash is not yet ripe. Here is a link to the same question from earlier in the week. It also includes a great link to some off-site info on squash in general. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: When to pick spagetti squash?
...See More
When to pick spaghetti squash
Q
Comments (2)
You can pick for immediate use as soon as the skin is hard enough that you can't puncture it with your fingernail. At this point, most varieties are white-ish with a hint of green or yellow. To store, they need to fully ripen on the vine, roughly 4 more weeks, in my experience, beyond the stage above, although longer is better on the vine if not in danger from pests, disease, or weather. By then, the basic S.S. is yellow-ish in color, as the yellow deepens as it ripens.
...See More
When can I pick a spaghetti squash??
Q
Comments (2)
They turn yellow as the fully mature, and continue to get deeper color in storage. You can pick for immediate use any time after they are fully sized and the rind is beginning to harden. But, in order to store well, they do need to stay on the vine until they are completely mature, the rinds very hard, and the seeds inside are fully mature and hard. Really, unless rotting or threatened by predators or weather, the longer they can stay on the vine, the better. Spaghetti squash is sort of intermediate storage variety - not the worst keeper, but not the best, generally lasting about 2 to 3 months for me.
...See More
gonefishin
16 years ago
Sorry Lilacs, at my age that may be the last chance that I get, you are probably younger than I. ":^)
Bill P.
gardenwolverine
16 years ago
Well, from my minor experience last year, you wait until the attached vine turns brown. Usually it will be nice and yellow by this time. Then you cut it loose, and let it sit outside for several days until it cures and the rind hardens.

At least I think that's how it went with mine...
digdirt2
16 years ago
Winter squash is usually harvested in the "fall". Not sure what qualifies as "fall" in Texas ;) but here I usually harvest it in late September or early October. Sometimes they are ripe sooner if the weather has been especially hot. Depends on your planting date.

Check out these sites for info:

Harvesting Winter Squash

"Harvesting your spaghetti squash occurs once it has reached itsÂ buttery yellow or deep orange coloring. The vine tendril opposite the fruit will be now positioned opposite it and will also be brown and shriveled. Another sign of maturity is the squashes' skins hardening. Carefully cut your squash from itsÂ vines, leaving two inches of stem attached if possible."

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Spaghetti Squash
koreyk
16 years ago
you can harvest it anytime you want. It is always edible. However, for storage it will turn a slightly color tan to show it is done. but you can pick early and it will taste the same. the skin is more white before fully done for storage.

Last year I Picked all mine early because the SVB killed them all and they all were just fine.
clockwork
16 years ago
Dangnabbit I love spaghetti squishy...mmmm

Clock
hunter_tx
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, everyone! Mine are getting fairly large now, and I was afraid it would be overly large and "tough", but like I said, I've never grown them before. I planted seeds in late March, they tolerated a couple of frosts and a snow in April. They are very vigorous and seem to be tough plants, but some of the squash are already about 8-9 inches long- still white/green in color. The produced and grew much faster than I expected :).

Someone asked about Fall in Texas. We don't really have much Fall. We go from 100+ degrees at the beginning of Sept to cool spells coming in late September. Then it cools off slightly, but never really gets cold until late Nov. It's more like this: Winter consists of mild weather with occasional freezes, quickly warming up back to the 60's or 70's within a couple of days. Then Spring which is cool nights with days often getting up to the high 80's and 90's. Last June, we had consistent 100 degree days in the middle of the month which went into September. It's very unpredictable, but I generally grow a spring garden from March through June, and a winter garden from October until March.
Mrs H
Karen Pease
16 years ago
If you've never grown them before, and you don't have much experience with them, just a heads up -- you don't see the "spaghetti" until you cook it and scrape the flesh with a spoon.

And yes, pick it at any time. :)
darkcloud
16 years ago
just before dinner is best ;_)
kaityjanea_gmail_com
12 years ago
This site is soo helpful!! I have broccoli, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, corn and pumpkins all for the first time this year and this site is awesome! Thanks for all the info! :)