Storing Pumpkins & Winter Squash

Winter Squash & Pumpkins

Winter squash which includes pumpkins are an excellent storage crop. They will keep 2-3 months with very little preparations. Start by picking and storing mature squash before a frost

The squash is mature if the skin cannot be pierced by you fingernail or the skin resists being scratched by your fingernails. Cut the stems 2-4 inches long. Pumpkins and squash do not store well without stems. The except to this is the hubbard type squash which should be stored without the stem.

Curing squash

During the curing process, moisture is lost and the skins harden. All squash undergo a natural curing process when stored. Artificial curing is not necessary for mature squash stored in good conditions.

Nearly mature squash, except acorn squash, do benefit from curing. Holding squash and pumpkins at a favorable temperature encourages healing of cuts and scratches and forms a corky layer over cuts and the cut end of the stem.

Cure pumpkin and squash at temperatures of 80-85 degrees F at 80-85% humidity. A small heated cabinet or a corner of the garage with a thermostatically controlled heater and a fan to circulate heat works well.

Acorn squash should not be cured and likes lower temperatures than other squash. They prefer temperatures of 45-55 degrees anything over that and they become stringy and dry. A green skinned acorn squash should stay green. There are orange and white skinned varieties. The white skinned do not store as well and should be eaten first.

Storing Squash

Squash do not like temperatures below 50 degrees. Ideal temperature for storage is 50-55 degrees F. They can be stored in a side room, basement, or a pantry that is not too warm.

Pumpkin are treated just like squash but do not store as long. When storing both squash and pumpkins do not pile them but leave space between and do not store them on a concrete floor.

Keep the pumpkins and squash dry to discourage mold and fungus. Air circulation will help with this.

Do not store near apples or pears which emit ethylene gas which causes yellowing of squash.

Discard any squash that shows signs of decay.

Hard-shelled winter squash storage times

Table Queen (acorn type) 1-2 months

Butternut 2-3 months

Hubbard types 3-6 months

Banana 3-6 months

Buttercup (turban type) 3-6 months

Sweet Meat 4-6 months

Pumpkin

Jack O’Lantern type 2-3 months

Pie Pumpkins 2-3 months

Occasionally a hard frost means you have many very immature winter squash and pumpkins. Once they are picked thy will not continue to ripen but can be used for decorating for Halloween and the fall season.