Do you know when the best time is to harvest hubbard squash? We will be filling you in about what you need to know about harvesting hubbard squash in this post.
Hubbard squash is a type of winter squash that is botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima. The harvest peak season of this type of winter squash is from mid-autumn down through early winter. Hubbard squash is an excellent option for sweet-tasting winter squash that you can prepare and serve on a cold, late autumn evening.
But when it comes to selecting or harvesting the best hubbard squash, there are some things to look out for. This is why we would be looking at when to harvest hubbard squash so you can pick the best fruit and enjoy this great-tasting squash.
Hubbard Squash Description
Hubbard squash is a winter squash from the family of Cucurbita maxima and this family also includes kabocha squash, banana squash, turban squash, and so on.
This type of winter squash is a large-sized fruit that can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The fruit can grow from 5 pounds to as heavy as 40 pounds.
Hubbard squash has this hard and inedible outer skin. The shape of hubbard squash can come in a teardrop shape that looks pointed at both ends or they can simply be round and squat.
There are two main varieties of the hubbard squash which are the blue and golden squash. The blue hubbard squash comes in a moody greyish-blue skin. The golden Hubbard on the other hand is bright orange.
The colors are the only differences between these two hubbard squash (blue and golden hubbard squash). They are both similar when it comes to their inner color, texture, as well as taste. They are both chubby and robust in shape and they can weigh an average size of around 8 to 20 pounds.
Therefore, when to harvest the blue hubbard squash is the same as when to harvest the golden hubbard squash.
Once you cook the flesh of hubbard squash, it has this starchy and smooth feel. It also has this sweet carrot-like flavor as well as buttery taste.
Harvesting Hubbard Squash
Hubbard squash has a fairly long growing season. It takes about 110 days for hubbard squash to attain maturity. Therefore, if you wish to start growing some hubbard squash, you should pretty start early.
The hubbard squash is allowed to mature on the vine. Harvest when the fruit is as hard as a rock. The stem should also be full and corklike.
Harvesting hubbard squash usually starts around August up until March. However, the peak to harvest this squash is around October through January.
Seed Needs. Blue Hubbard Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima)
When Is The Best Time To Harvest Hubbard Squash
The hubbard fruit should be ready for harvest in about 50 to 55 days after the fruit sets. However, note that the exterior that tends to be hard doesn’t indicate the ripeness of hubbard squash.
Additionally, the best way to know when hubbard squash is ready for harvest is when the maturation day has passed. This maturation date is usually around 100 to 120 days. Also, you can wait until the vine starts to die off to ascertain the hubbard squash is ready for harvest.
However, if you notice the fruit are already big enough and they look ready to be picked but the vine has not shown any sign of dying off: you can simply look at the first couple of inches of the stem attached to the squash. If this part of the stem has begun to dry and looks cork-like, then it’s fine to harvest. It means the vine isn’t giving the fruit nourishment anymore.
However, if the stem remains moist and viable, refrain from harvesting it. The fruit is still obtaining nourishment and hasn’t attained its full flavor potential, sweetness, and seed viability.
Furthermore, harvesting should also be done right before any heavy frost. This is because this type of squash is a tropical plant and heavy frost can damage the fruit.
To harvest hubbard squash appropriately, simply cut the fruit off the vine. But leave about two inches attached to the hubbard squash fruit.
So the remaining vine should be left alone on the fruit to cure for 10 days to two weeks. Doing this will help sweeten the flesh and it will also harden the shell so you can store them for a longer period.
Reasd more about How To Grow Butternut Squash From Fresh Seeds
Storing Hubbard
The thick rind of hubbard squash makes them easy to store for many months (about 5 months or more) even through winter. All you need to do is to keep them in a cool and dry place. Make sure you store them unwrapped at a temperature less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The interesting part is that as you store them for this long period, their flavor won’t deteriorate. They will rather continue to develop as their starch gradually turns to sugar.
For instance, that hubbard squash that gave you a mealy or starchy taste in September could offer a creamier texture and sweeter flavor when you store them up until February.
How To Select The Best Hubbard Squash
You can find hubbard squash being sold during their season which is around early fall and early winter.
So, when you select any hubbard squash, select the ones that are heavy in size and also hard as a rock. This means when you try to press the skin, there should be no chance of yielding into the outer skin. Never go for hubbard squash that has soft spots or the squash that has been bruised.
FAQ’s
How do you know when to pick Hubbard squash?
The best way to determine if a Hubbard is ready for harvest is to see how firm the stem is. It should be hard and somewhat flexible. If it feels soft, then it's too early. If it's firm, but still flexible, then it's just right.
Hubbard squash ripens at the end of October, so you should be fine picking it up now. The only thing to watch out for is that if the weather is cold, the squash may not ripen as quickly as it would if the weather was warm.
Hubbard squash are a great addition to your summer garden and the best part about them is that they are a delicious, versatile vegetable. They’re not as sweet as some other varieties of summer squash, but they are very easy to grow in any climate.
How big should a Hubbard squash be?
The standard sizes of Hubbard squash are from 4 to 6 inches long.
You can find a variety of different types of Hubbard squash, but the most common is the Large White variety. It’s also referred to as “Crockpot” or “Crockpot Squash”.
It is a large type of winter squash that is easy to grow. It’s a very popular type of squash because it doesn’t require a lot of space. It can be grown in small pots, in containers, in raised beds, and even in the ground. It will grow quite well in areas with high temperatures and low humidity.
How to grow Hubbard Squash seeds?
Hubbard squash is an easy winter squash to grow. You can start your seeds indoors or directly in the ground. It’s a quick-growing squash that requires only 70 to 90 days to harvest. The seeds are small, so it’s important that you plant them in the right place.
You should first choose a location where you will plant your seedlings. If you plan on growing them in pots, you will need to buy potting soil. You will also need to buy a large container with a drainage hole and a cover. Once you have all of these items, you can start planting the seeds. You will need to make sure that the soil is at least 6 inches deep. After you have planted your seeds, you will need to water them regularly until they sprout. When the seeds sprout, you will need to give them more light. This will help them to grow and grow. You will need to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once the plants start to grow, you will need to water them every day. You should not fertilize your plants when you first plant them. You should only fertilize them after they have grown to about 1 foot tall.
How do you store hubbard squash?
You can choose between two methods for storing hubbard squash:
you can either keep it in the refrigerator or store it on the counter. Store the hubbard squash in the refrigerator and use it within five days. You can also store it on the counter for up to three to four weeks. This will depend on how cold your kitchen is. Make sure to cover your hubbard squash with a lid or plastic wrap so that it does not get exposed to light. You can also store your hubbard squash in an airtight container or even better in a plastic bag.
There is no need to wash it before storing. Hubbard squash keeps well if stored in a cool place.
Conclusion
The time to harvest hubbard squash is when the maturation duration has passed. And this is around 100 to 120 days.
Even though this type of squash may not be the most commonly selected in produce stand or section, there are so many benefits and amazing flavors this squash can offer. Therefore, it is worth seeking out this squash and you will enjoy that sweet flavor, fine-grained texture, and buttery taste.
Find more information about Will A Pumpkin Ripen Off The Vine?
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
