The Winter Squash Show: Growing and Curing and Storing

Episode Overview

• This episode of Growers Daily is a comprehensive guide to growing, curing, and storing winter squash and pumpkins using ecological, no-till farming methods.
• Host Jesse Frost explores the challenges and unique benefits of growing winter squash, contrasting its high space and nutrient demands with its exceptional flavor, storage longevity, and cultural significance.
• The discussion covers botanical classifications, seed-saving strategies, space management (bush vs. vining habits), and step-by-step instructions for transplanting, weed control, and irrigation.
• It details the crucial, post-harvest processes of curing and storing squash to maximize shelf life, detailing distinct requirements for different varieties like butternuts, delicatas, and pumpkins.

Key Concepts

• Botanical Classifications and Seed Saving: Winter squash varieties fall into three main species: Cucurbita pepo (e.g., delicata, acorn, pumpkins), Cucurbita moschata (e.g., butternut, honeynut), and Cucurbita maxima (e.g., kabocha). Understanding these classifications is essential for seed saving, as varieties within the same species will cross-pollinate, whereas crossing between different species is rare.
• Transplanting vs. Direct Seeding: While many growers direct seed squash, transplanting using soil blocks or paper wind strip trays can give the crop a critical head start. This head start allows growers to establish effective weed control before the vines spread, though care must be taken not to damage the highly sensitive root systems during transplanting.
• The Power of Compost in Disease Resistance: Adding a generous handful of high-quality compost directly to the planting hole of each seed or transplant is the single most effective way to boost the plant's natural defenses against common pests (like squash bugs and vine borers) and diseases.
• The Mechanics of Curing: Curing is a metabolic process where the squash heals physical skin wounds, thickens its outer rind, and converts starches into stable sugars. Not all squash require curing; thin-skinned varieties like delicata and acorn do not benefit from it and have shorter storage lives, while thick-skinned varieties like butternuts require several weeks of curing to unlock their full storage potential.

Quotes

• At 2:48 - "Winter squashes tend to be very slow to grow, they take up a lot of space, they are low yielding, they have generally high nutrient needs, and can be very pest and disease susceptible. So why bother? Well, one, the flavors are really exciting and unique." - Explaining the inherent challenges of growing winter squash alongside the culinary rewards that make it worthwhile.
• At 5:08 - "Another thing to keep in mind with squash is bush habit versus vining habit... For a lot of growers on small acreage, the bush habit varieties are extremely popular because you can keep them relatively confined to a single bed." - Outlining how plant growth habits dictate space management and variety selection for small-scale farms.
• At 8:17 - "You know how the best squash you will ever get grows right out of your compost pile? Well, I say take the hint and add a nice handful of good compost to each of your seed or transplant holes. It makes an enormous difference in disease and pest resistance." - Simplifying pest management by highlighting the relationship between soil fertility and plant health.
• At 11:58 - "The reason we cure squash is to heal wounds on the squash, to thicken the skin, and convert some of its starches into stable sugars." - Defining the biological purpose of post-harvest curing and its role in improving both flavor and storage potential.

Takeaways

• Prevent root shock when transplanting squash by using 2-inch soil blocks or wind strip trays, ensuring the roots of neighboring plants do not touch or entangle before they go into the field.
• Space winter squash plants at least 3 feet apart in staggered rows on a 48-inch bed if irrigating, or widen the spacing to 4 to 5 feet apart if dry-farming to reduce water competition.
• Manage curing conditions for thick-skinned squash by keeping them in a well-ventilated space at approximately 80°F (27°C) with high humidity for 1 to 2 weeks before transferring them to a cool, dry cellar at 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C) for long-term storage.