The wonders of winter squash racquets are all too often overlooked . From a nutritionary standpoint , many varieties of winter squash weigh in as superfoods with super flavor . Rich in Vitamin C , K , beta carotene , dietary fibre , and carotenoid , these guy wire are the perfect nourishment to warm up up with as the weather condition cool down down . They are fun to develop , and they are easy to store . That make the wintertime squash the veggie equivalent of a diamond in the rough .
About winter squash
wintertime squash has been a fundamental vegetable for humans for thousand of years . In North America , squeeze was one of three primary crops . For one aboriginal American tribe , the Iroquois , squash , bean , and corn were referred to as “ The Three Sisters . ” grow together , the corn stem provided a living for the beans to vine up . At the same prison term , the bean plant aid anchor the stalks to the ground and strengthened them against blustery wind . Meanwhile , the squash vined over the ground to cater a natural mulch for the beans and the corn . The squash vines also allow weed control , and their spiky nature protect all three crop from intruders . For more on the history of wintertime squash , visithttp://blog.americanhistory.si.edu/osaycanyousee/2011/11/from-the-victory-garden-american-history-told-through-squash.html .
Today , the all - star of winter squash is the pumpkin vine . Traditionally used as a capitulation decoration , the pumpkin also takes center stage as a delicious holiday sweet . Also popular are the butternut , acorn , buttercup , and spaghetti squashes . Butternut squeeze makes wonderful soups and purees . Acorn and buttercup squashes are great for baking and enjoying alone or as a luscious side dish . The stringy inside of the spaghetti squash makes a delicious gluten - free alternative to pasta .
wintertime squash are not to be confuse with their relative , the summertime crush . While all squashes grow during the summer season , summer squash is harvest in an immature state and devour shortly thereafter . Winter crush , on the other hand , grows to full maturity on the vine and can be stored for months . For more information on the difference between wintertime and summer squash , visithttp://www.ozarknaturalfoods.com/2013/05/winter-vs-summer-squash/.
How to grow winter squash
wintertime squash is not a cold liberal plant . For good craw result , wait to set your semen directly when your dirt is a quick 70 degrees F. Plant 4 to 6 seeded player in a Alfred Hawthorne , and slenderize each J. J. Hill to 1 or 2 flora per Alfred Hawthorne . Plants should be spaced 4 pes aside in row that are space 6 feet apart . Or you may plant your wintertime squeeze in a power grid pattern 5 feet aside .
When you prepare your hills before planting , boil down some compost and vegetable fertiliser a fundament deep into the hills . Winter squashes are heavy feeders and will love the extra treat .
For short time of year , northern locations , do n’t seek to plant your seed directly . Start them inside three calendar week before your last frost date , and transplant the seedlings when the earth has warmed to that 70 degree mug . Do n’t lease your seedlings grow too vainglorious though . They do n’t like their rootage disturbed , and they wo n’t produce as well the older they get . For more top on how to start winter squelch readhttp://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/secrets-of-winter-squash.aspx .
Choose a sunny spot for your squash vine . Like the Native Americans from years gone by , you could plant squash between corn stalks , but the squash rackets plants will produce more when they are not shade by other works . supply healthy , nutrient fill up soil for your come or transplantation .
For the sweetest squash , make trusted your squash plants get an in of H2O per week . You may have to aid Mother Nature out with that job if you live in raging and dry areas . For more on how to arise wintertime squash , visithttp://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-winter-squash-zmaz10jjzraw.aspx
Winter crush vines can be rumbustious . They will stretch out across your garden and peradventure beyond , so plan on giving them quite a little of elbow joint room . If space is a job , they can easily be train to stay out of the way . The vines can lightly be turned back in the same focusing they came from . Or , once the vine have produced a few squash , lop off the bleary tips . The vine will stop crawl , and the produce will mature faster .
Another way to get by winter squash vine is with a trellis . This works especially well for small potpourri . The produce from prominent varieties can be supported with slings . Check outhttp://www.ourhappyacres.com/2013/08/in-a-sling/for more on trellising and slings . And for thought on semi - bush-league and other small and compact varieties of winter squash visithttp://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/winter-squash-for-tight-quarters.aspx
Winter squeeze take more patience than other veggie . While you engraft your winter crush at the same sentence as the rest of your vegetables , your winter squash will not be ready for harvest until late fall . calculate on the smorgasbord , from the sentence you plant to the time they are ready to be picked is commonly between 80 to 100 days . They are well deserving the wait , though . When you are finally able to glean them , they come perfectly packaged in their own protective scale .
Pests and problems
Once your vine start to produce , your winter squelch will have to dwell on the soil for a farsighted clock time before it is quick to be plunk . That can sometimes cause your squash racquets to rot . Put some mulch underneath your squash racquets to break up the problem . Or , hear slide a slice of woodwind or charge plate under the squash to keep it off the ground .
The most common blighter for winter squash is the squash - vine woodborer . If a nice long vine suddenly dies and endanger the wellness of the fruit , use a tongue to make a lengthwise twat down the vine . examine to site the fiddling white grub and polish off it . Bury that section of vine to re - rout and to help the fruit continue to grow . To learn more about how to manage the squash - vine borer readhttp://urbanext.illinois.edu/vegproblems/vineborer.cfm
How to harvest winter squash
get your wintertime squash mature on the vine . It will not continue to mature if you are hasty with its harvest , and you will miss out on the full flavor . A general linguistic rule for pick winter squash vine is to expect until the vines die . Some can be picked when the stem turn turn dry . Another nurseryman ’s baksheesh is to stick your fingernail into the skin , and if you ca n’t break the pelt , that ’s a good sign too .
The good path to screw for sure that your squash is quick for the taking is to equate yours to the pic on the seed parcel you imbed from . If a picture is not available and you ’re still not sure whether your winter squelch is ready or not , the quondam - fashioned trial and error method acting will do .
If a Robert Lee Frost is forecast , pick your mature squash and cover the unripe ones with mulch or a cover . Remove the covering when the threat has passed so they get the sun they require . For more information on harvesting your winter squelch , visithttp://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/winter-squash
snub your squash from the vine with a tongue . Leave a two inch stem . strain to keep the stem from split up off to prevent disease , molder , and cuss from creep in . Wash the exterior of your squash with 10 to 1 whitener to piss solution . countenance the crush cure in the Lord’s Day or in a lovesome room for two week . Move your crop to a cool cellar area for long - condition storage . Most wintertime squash will keep for at least two month .
Now that your winter squash vine is safely stored , the good is yet to be . Visithttp://whatscookingamerica.net/squash.htmfor luscious winter squash recipe . Happy harvest !
