How to Store Winter Squash

Have you ever picked your winter squash in hopes of keeping it all winter, only to find it rotting a few weeks later? Unfortunately, it can happen if you don’t handle your squash the right way. So today I want to show you exactly how to store winter squash so it lasts.

The short version: harvest fully mature squash before frost, cure most varieties somewhere warm for about 10 days, then store them in a cool, dry spot with good airflow. Ideally that spot is 50-55 degrees F. Just don’t cure acorn squash!

Why Is It Called Winter Squash?

I remember years ago, before I really got into gardening, thinking that winter squash meant that you grew it in the winter.

Which didn’t really make sense, because I knew that people didn’t grow squash in winter.

But the word “winter” really threw me off.

I soon learned that “winter” really refers to how well these squash store. If you harvest and store them correctly, you can enjoy them months later.

So whereas summer squash only lasts a couple weeks and needs to be used up quickly, winter squash can be stored for months.

Pretty awesome, right!

The Mistake That Cost Me 30 Spaghetti Squash

For years I’d been growing all types of winter squash, but I never grew enough at once to store any for later. Until one year when I finally did.

My favorite winter squash of all is spaghetti squash, and I planted so much that I had about 30 to store at the end of the season.

I was so excited, I quickly picked them all and put them in boxes inside the house. Then a couple weeks later I went to grab one for dinner, only to see that they were ALL moldy!

It was devastating…

So I quickly did my research and found out that I did it all wrong.

Now I’m excited to teach you how to harvest, cure, and store your squash so that you don’t end up with rotten squash like I did.

Winter Squash Varieties to Grow

Here are some different winter squash varieties to plant:

• Acorn squash
• Blue Hubbard squash
• Buttercup squash
• Butternut squash
• Carnival squash
• Delicata squash
• Kabocha squash
• Red kabocha squash
• Red kuri squash
• Spaghetti squash
• Sweet dumpling squash

When to Plant Winter Squash

Winter squash is planted at the same time as your summer squash varieties. It just takes longer to mature and gets one harvest at the end of the season.

The recommended first outdoor transplanting date for winter squash is 2 weeks after your last frost.

The recommended first direct seeding is once all danger of frost has passed and the soil has reached 70 degrees F.

The last recommended planting date will vary depending on the variety, so check the days to maturity on your seed packet.

How to Harvest Winter Squash

Storing squash well starts with picking it at the right time. Mature squash stores better than immature squash, so give it as long as you can on the vine. But be sure to harvest before frost, because squash exposed to freezing temperatures breaks down quickly in storage.

Here’s how to tell when your squash is ready:

• Check the seed packet. Days to maturity will give you an estimate of when each variety will be ready to pick.
• Look at the color. The skin should be fully colored.
• Try the fingernail test. The rind should be hard enough that your fingernail doesn’t scratch or puncture it.
• Tap on it. Many gardeners also listen for a hollow sound, which is one more sign that it’s ready.

Once your squash is ripe, try to pick it when it’s dry. Use a pair of gardening shears to cut each squash from the vine, leaving about an inch of stem.

Handle your squash gently, and don’t carry it by the stem. Those hard skins can still bruise, and damaged squash won’t keep as long.

How to Cure Winter Squash

Curing hardens the skin and helps heal minor cuts and scratches, which can help your squash last longer in storage.

Which Winter Squash Should You Cure?

Do not cure acorn squash. The heat and humidity will lower its quality and shorten its storage life. Delicata doesn’t benefit from curing either.

Most other varieties, including buttercup, butternut, Hubbard, and spaghetti, are commonly cured. Well-matured squash doesn’t always need a special curing setup, but it’s most helpful for squash that’s a little less mature.

So if you can’t create perfect conditions, don’t panic! Just keep your squash warm and dry for several days before moving it to storage.

How to Cure Squash Step by Step

1. Sort your squash. Set aside any that are bruised, deeply cut, or punctured and use those first.
2. Find a warm spot. The ideal conditions are 80-85 degrees F and 80-85% humidity.
3. Give them space. Place your squash in a single layer on a raised rack or other surface with good airflow, without letting them touch.
4. Keep them dry. Don’t let your squash get wet while curing.
5. Check on them. Look for soft spots, mold, or other problems as they cure.
6. Cure for about 10 days. Then move them to storage.

Do You Need to Clean Winter Squash Before Storing It?

This step is optional. Research on it is mixed, and getting your squash wet can create problems if it doesn’t dry right away.

If you do want to clean the surface, you have two options:

• Hot water dip: Dip your squash in 135-140 degree F water for 3 minutes, using a thermometer and being careful not to burn yourself.
• Bleach wipe: Gently wipe the surface with a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water. Wear gloves, work in a well-ventilated area, and never mix bleach with other cleaners.

Either way, dry your squash right away with a clean, dry cloth.

How to Store Winter Squash

After curing, store your squash in a cool, dry area with good air circulation. The ideal conditions are 50-55 degrees F and 50-75% humidity.

A few more tips will help your squash last:

• Keep them off the floor. Store them on shelves or racks in a single layer so air can move around them.
• Skip the refrigerator. Temperatures below 50 degrees F can cause chilling injury and shorten storage life.
• Keep them away from ripening fruit. Fruits like apples, pears, and bananas release ethylene gas, which shortens the storage life of your squash.
• Check them weekly. If you notice a small spot, move that squash away from the others and use it soon. If it’s soft, moist, or moldy, toss it.

How Long Does Winter Squash Last?

Storage life depends on the variety and your storage conditions, but here’s a general guide for squash that’s been stored properly:

Winter squash variety	Approximate storage life
Acorn	5-8 weeks
Delicata	1-3 months
Spaghetti	2-3 months
Butternut	2-3 months, sometimes longer
Buttercup	3-6 months
Hubbard	3-6 months
Kabocha	4-6 months
Red kuri	4-6 months

Thin-skinned varieties like carnival and sweet dumpling don’t store as long as the harder-skinned types, so use those early along with your acorn and delicata squash.

Save your longest-keeping squash for last, and you could be enjoying your harvest for months to come!

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