By Tamara Galbraith

Good things come to those who wait, right? Well, winter squash will keep you waiting, but when ready, it is definitely a good thing.

The time to start seeds of winter squash is now, so that it's ready in the fall. Most types of winter squash take about 85-105 days to mature when grown from seed. As is the case with all members of the cucurbit family, give your squash lots of compost, along with regular waterings, throughout the growing period.

Winter squash differs from summer squash in that it must be harvested and eaten only in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this stage, you can even store it up to six months for use throughout the winter.

There are several different varieties to choose from that are either vining, semi-vining or bush types. Choose whichever kind suits your taste buds and is appropriate for your garden size. Acorn, Delicata, Spaghetti and Butternut are just a few examples.

Most winter squashes, when cooked, are a tasty, highly nutritious treat. Cooked squash also freezes well. Hey, you waited a long time for that squash...make it last!

 

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