It is quite the learning experience to grow something new. Especially when the “readiness” is hard to judge.
All of the things I read tell you to harvest winter squash before the first frost. They also tell you to wait for the vines to die back plus a couple of weeks for “curing” (the skin needs to get very hard for storage) and don’t forget that the cold nights will help in making them sweeter.
No body tells you how to handle the harvest of winter squash when it starts to rain while the vines are still green. And it keeps raining. Still more rain. I know, I’m preaching to the choir. As Oregonians we are very familiar with rain.
So one day we just decided to harvest all of it. We decided to take two days to do it. The first day we cut everything and moved them to the grass.
The boys were a huge help (as usual)…
Even kitty was involved. He was the manager, overseeing all of our work.
Once they were all picked and in the grass…
It was time to hose off all of the dirt….
That was it for the first day. The next day Michael and the boys washed each squash with soapy water and then again with bleach water.
Now they are in the shop “curing”.
Some of the squash were ruined. Something burrowed up from the ground and ate the entire middle of the largest squash. Probably a mole or gopher. You can see one that was damaged and it turned moldy on the outside. We cut off the bad stuff and toss them to the chickens. They love squash. They will also be a treat for the goats during the winter.
Now comes learning how to cook with winter squash. I’m thinking roasted cubes, puree/mash, cubes in soups and stews. Any other idea would be welcome. Just leave a comment and I’ll give it a try and let you know.
Ahh. Harvest is done. It’s a good thing. In about three months we will order more seeds and get “started” on the new plants.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor this week,
Karen
Living off the land and not the supermarket is a LOT of work! I admire your energy and “grit.”
Thanx! I wish I knew farmers who grew these things. I would pick their brains. We also were a little confused on the potatoes we grew. Oh well, it is a learning process. Take care. Love, Karen
Wow! Great harvest.
love reading the blog.
take good care,
xoxo Lisa
Thanx Lisa! I appreciate all the encouragement I can get. It is a big adjustment but we are determined.
Hugs,
Karen
That picture of your cat overseeing the harvest is hilarious! That is what cats do best 🙂 Quite the bounteous harvest! Who knew that chickens love squash!
I love cats. They are just so independent! Yes, the chickens love winter squash. If we thinly slice them the goats will eat them as well.
I really like your blog. I’m going to have to try the pork chops soon.
Thanx
Karen
Karen, I came over from Pioneer Woman. I was going to say the same thing as Lindsey — loved that pic of the cat watching over everything from the top of the ladder. Great shot! And great harvest, too!
We so love that cat. You know he adopted us. Just showed up out of the blue a couple of months ago.
Yes, great harvest. Now I’m pinning as many winter squash recipes as I can find 🙂
Another new post today.
Thanx for visiting.
Karen
PS: I recognize your picture from PW.
Oh, squash, yummy. I am gearing up for squash soup. I am looking at recipes and will share them with you at thanksgiving if not before. The only squash I grew was acorn squash. We loved it thru the winter as we took it out of my parents basement. You were right in just harvesting it when you saw the need and time. I did not know these fancy rules. They just store and we finished them all. I baked them flesh side down split in half for maybe 30 min.. We took the flesh out and had them with butter and a bit of brn sugar. There are awsome soups that I want to try and I will share them with you. Many of them call for butternut squash, but I say we can use any squash. Bake bread, cookies, soup, and more and they are so good for us.