My Squashes - again!

[reetnproper]

Hi guys,

A few weeks ago, I asked for advice on how to tell if my Winter Squash and Cobnuts were ready for harvesting. I was adviced, at that time, to wait until the leaves had died back or the first frost had come, as this would mean the fruits would be at their sweetest. The clue, it was pointed out to me, was in the name - WINTER squash - and Cobnuts were a winter variety as well .

So I'm happily waiting for my lovely, large Cobnuts and my pretty little winter squashes to reach their optimum sweetness (i.e. awaiting the frosts), carefully nurturing and monitoring their growth.

Then, this morning, a friend happened to mention that she had been up to her parents this weekend (they live a few miles away) to harvest the Cobnuts. With my newly acquired knowledge, I questioned why they'd picked them so very early, as I had heard that it was best to wait until after the first Frost.

My friend told me that they ALWAYS pick them green because, in their experience, if you waited for them to ripen fully then the squirrels would, more than likely, strip the crop, in ONE night before the fruits had reach the optimum. ARRGHHHH! She says that even Green the fruit are delicious and so it would be a shame to wait and run the risk of losing the whole lot.

So now I'm in a real quandry. What to do for the best. Of all the veg I've been growing this year (and this is the first year I've had complete care and choice in the plot as my DH is too busy) the squashes are my joy and I would be devastated if I were to lose the whole lot to squirrels.

Has anyone else had experience of squirrels destroying the crop?
Does anyone else pick green or before frosts and if so how tasty have the squashes been?

I have attached pictures of my squashes and cobnuts (I hope) so you can see just how far along they are. The Cobnuts are not behind chicken wire, despite the look of the photo, they are being grown up the fence that divides the veg plot from the lawn/play area in our garden. Through the fence was the best angle to get them, they are exposed on the other side.

Many thanks for your help and advice,
Reet
x

[Pumpkin Becki]

I think there may have been a slight misunderstanding - possibly.

When you say cobnut, you mean Butternut Squash variety 'Cobnut'. Whereas I suspect your friend means the fruit of the 'Cobnut' tree which are a bit like a hazelnut. These are common in Kent, and are picked green, and will get demolished by rampaging squirrels.

[Pies]

I agree with Becki,round here you are very lucky to pick a ripe cobnut,but a butternut squash cobnut seem ok

[reetnproper]

LOL. Oh thank god for that. Never heard of a cobnut tree but I suddenly feel a sudden and overwhelming appreciation for them.

I had given my friend 2 of my surplus cobnut plants earlier this year and just assumed than when I asked "How're are the cobnuts doing" that her reply was to do with them .

Phew. I can happily continue admiring my little beauties, safe in the knowledge that the squirrels are, as I always suspected, nut eaters and not squash thieves.

Thanks for that, now I'm going to have a quiet chuckle to myself before school pick-up time.

[Pumpkin Becki]

You're welcome, I'm certain that's what has happened.

[Alan Farmer]

Turn them over if you can so that the skins will cure in the sunshine, and ideally remove the bottom from damp surfaces. Once the attached stem has dried out they are probably ready to pick, and we always ripen em off a bit in the conservatory before storing. It pays to place them for storage not on a hard surface as all the weight bears down and crushes the bottom and they may rot from inside. Helps to tun them a bit too. We've got some on shelves in or conservatory that we've had since last Autumn. Alan

[Lovage]

From the picture the Cobnuts still look immature - when fully ripe there should be no green on the skin. Immature fruits are still edible but won't have the best texture and flavour.

As mentioned above it's important to cure the skin in the sun for a few days if you want to store the squash also try to leave the stalk as long as possible.

Squash is a wonderful fruit/veg and extremely versatile -- enjoy!

[Demeter]

I've already eaten a few of my winter squashes and they were delicious! (Think of them as gourmet baby veg rather than unripe lol)

The rest will - probably, if I can keep my hands off 'em - be left now until they are fully mature. I've got a fair amount of summer squash to keep me distracted for now I love my squash...