Question
Hi.  I'am growing what I believe to be spaghetti squash and acorn squash.  My first question regarding the spaghetti squash is that the color is currently green. They are the size of a small cantelope. Does the color change after they have been picked and stored for a period of time, or should they turn yellow before they are picked?  Also I was told they shouldn't be harvested until September, but I believe they will be ready long before that at the rate they are growing. Should I just pick them as they appear to be ripe.  I also have a question regarding the acorn squash.  Some are currently the size that you find at the store, but the top is dark green and at least half of the bottom is white.  Also the white area is smaller than the green area truly making them appear to be acorns.  Does the color change as they ripen, they are pretty large already?  Thanks for you time.

Answer
Pam, I always pick my vegetables when they are fairly young.  In the case of butternut or spaghetti squash, I recommend picking them as early as 6" long, but no later than 8".  Another indicator is to wait until the green stripes become very faint. The same holds true for acorn squash.  This will also result in more fruit since plants tend to keep producing when you harvest on a regular basis.

Squash, like tomatoes, will ripen off the vine.  But I never recommend this with either plant.  The reason is you much of the flavor of the vegetables are sacrificed when they are not allowed to ripen on the vine. The only time I harvest early and ripen indoors is at the end of the growing season to prevent the plant from losing its harvest due to frost.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike