Page 46 - Bringing out the Potential In Our Children - Gardeners - Food Producers

try not to pick it up by the stem because if the stem gets
broken off, this is a weak spot for decay.

Cure winter squash and pumpkins in a warm (75-80° F (24-
27° C), dry, well-ventilated place for 10 to 12 days.

After curing, you may want to dip them in a weak bleach
solution (10 parts water to 1 part bleach) to kill fungi and
bacteria on the skin and prolong storage. Allow to drip dry and
then move pumpkins and winter squash to a cool, dark, dry,
and well-ventilated storage area where temperatures range
between 50-55° F (10-13° C). Don't store in a damp root
cellar.

Spread squash out singly or, if you have to stack them, try not
to do more than 2 deep so they have plenty of air circulation
and don't rot.

Summer Squash and Zucchini

Harvest summer squash when immature and still tender, and
not more than 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) long and 2 inches (5
cm) in diameter. Harvest patty pan, or scallop types when they
are 3 or 4 inches (7.6-10 cm) in diameter. Keep plants
harvested to prolong production of fruit.

Harvest all squash by cutting fruits with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of
stem attached. Pick summer squash when they are small,
harvesting every day because fruit quality deteriorates with
age. Store in the refrigerator.

For more, use our in-depth Growing Guides:

Growing Pumpkins
Growing Summer Squash
Growing Winter Squash

Tomato

Tomatoes are ripe when they change color. For best flavor,
harvest tomatoes when firm and fully colored. Some cultivars
drop their fruits when they are ripe, just pick these up and use
them.

Store at room temperature, never store tomatoes in the
refrigerator because cool temperatures cause them to lose
flavor and textures.

For more, use our in-depth Growing Guides:

Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tomatoes & Tomato Growing Tips
How To Ripen Green Tomatoes

Thank you to Hilary Rinaldi, a certified organic grower, and a member of the National Garden Writers
Association. She is a nationally published writer, and regularly speaks and writes about all gardening