Pumpkin and Squash Questions

[Ron H]

I have a bumper crop of squash ( both Acorn and Hubbard ) and two kinds of pumpkins ( small pie and large decoration ). How and when do I know when to pick them? The Acorns look ripe fropm the get go but now they are sounding a little hollow. The Hubbard start green and turn golden, do I wait for the hollow sound too? The pumpkins are turning orange but there are still a few green. It is getting close to the first frost time here in western Wisconsin , should I pick everything with the first signs of frost?

Ron H.

[trader4]

I wouldn't be in any hurry because of frost. A light frost likely won't do much. A more extensive frost will kill the plants, but the fruits will still be OK. I grew and sold Big Max pumpkins as a kid, some over 100 lbs, and don't remember any urgency to pick them. The fact that some are still green tells you they are still growing.

As for the squash, I think a lot depends on what you intend to do with them. If you're going to cook them, then why not start harvesting some of the ripest ones now, and leave others for later?