Leave winter squash on vine for longevity?
Donald V Zone 6 north Ohio
2 years ago
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daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoDonald V Zone 6 north Ohio
2 years agoRelated Discussions
cutting back winter squash vines
Comments (4)Bad Idea Wrong Reasoning. All the energy comes from the sun on the leaves. IF you cut off the leaves then you cut off the energy. The proper approach is to leave one squash on each plant and remove all the new squash that might try to set. Allow the vine to grow as big as possible. If you already have more than one then leave them if they are good sized and simply remove all new attempts to set new fruit/ squash. There is plenty of time for all set squash to finish. But remove all new ones. Winter squash like pumpkin will continue to ripen off the vine in your house. If you put a green pumpkin in your house it should ripen nice and orange by May of next year. It should still be OK in the house by next harvest. Kind of amazing. Also small new squash can be eaten like summer squash. My winter squash is all harvested in Mass already this year. The warm weather has brought early harvests....See MoreCan winter squash stay on the vine too long?
Comments (1)By now, if you cannot penetrate the skin with a thumbnail, then I'd recommend that you pick. If the skin is still soft enough to puncture with a thumbnail, then I'd try leaving them on, as on as long as the vine has any life it it at all. George Tahlequah, OK...See MoreTilling in squash vines/leaves?
Comments (2)Thanks George. I'll probably do that, rather than risk it. I just hate discarding natural matter that (if not infected) would be good food for the soil. But.......life isn't always as we would like! This year it seemed like the early blight was more from the early abundant rain and cool spring. I wonder if the bad guys might not have the right weather next year, and wouldn't be a problem? I guess we wouldn't want to risk it though. Thanks for your input!...See MoreDisposing of Pumpkin/Squash vines & leaves.
Comments (3)Thanks Trev Yes, I cannot rotate as I have many acres of woods but only a small area of plantable space. I will do what I can this fall. There is no problem with burning, I just call the sheriff dept. before we burn. I did not know about squash bugs before this year. I am well schooled now and at least know what to look for to get ahead of them next year should they reappear as I expect they will! Thanks again!...See Morelaceyvail 6A, WV
2 years agorobert567
2 years agoHighColdDesert
2 years ago
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daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)