What happens if you leave squash on the vine too long?

If summer squash stays on the vines for too long, the quality will be terrible. Oversized summer squash will be bitter and watery, and some winter squash will have tough seeds and a fibrous interior. Split skins invite rot during storage. I lost half of my crop one year by putting off picking the fruit while I was on vacation.

Summer squash goes bad very quickly when they overgrows. Zucchini over 8 inches becomes seedy and bitter. Patty pans become pithy and tasteless. Their thin skin bruises easily, making them vulnerable to pests. This means harvesting for the best flavor every day during peak season.

Winter squash faces distinct issues. Left too long on the vine, butternuts develop hollow cavities. Acorns split open at the seams from heavy rain. All types of winter squash are susceptible to frost damage, which can cause degradation in their texture. Harvest them immediately when the stems become woody and brown in color.

Timing precision keeps your crop in good shape. Summer squash often requires frequent harvests, while winter squash requires careful observation of vine death. Consider setting phone reminders during busy farming times. I use garden flags, color-coded by mat, to pre-emptively mark plants I think will be ready to pick soon.

Apply these strategies to perfect your squash every season. Your harvests will maintain peak flavor and texture without waste. I now enjoy zucchini until Thanksgiving thanks to proper timing.

Read the full article: When to Harvest Squash: Complete Grower's Guide