How do you know when Spaghetti squash is ready to pick?

Asked by: Mary Briggs

When the squash has turned a golden yellow or a dark yellowish color, it is usually ready to be picked. The skin of the squash will be very thick and hard. If you use your fingernail to poke the squash, you will know it’s ripe if your nail doesn’t penetrate the squash.

How long can you leave spaghetti squash on the vine?

110 days

The maximum length recommended for most varieties is 110 days on the vine. After then, it will become overripe, but be sure to check the rind, color, and vine to test when to harvest.

What happens if you pick spaghetti squash too early?

The fact is that the answer depends on spaghetti squash ripeness, or how mature the squash is. If the squash is green and soft, it is more likely to rot than ripen off the vine. If, however, there are hints of yellow and the squash appears to be full sized and sounds solid when thumped, I would go ahead and try it.

What does squash look like when ready to pick?

Let's go ahead and harvest the way that you would harvest the squash is you want to go ahead and go above the stem. And the mainline and just go ahead and. And there you go you harvested.

How many spaghetti squash do you get per plant?

4-5 fruits

The outside of the spaghetti squash begins white and changes to pale yellow when mature. Each plant yields an average of 4-5 fruits. After harvesting, the fruits will store for several weeks.

How big do spaghetti squash get?

eight to nine inches long

“Spaghetti squash fruit will change from white to pale yellow, to golden yellow when it is ready to harvest, and are normally eight to nine inches long and four to five inches in diameter,” she explains.

Do all spaghetti squash turn yellow?

Squash Color



The color of all winter squash deepens and becomes more vibrant as the fruit matures. Spaghetti squash should be a rich yellow-gold color when it’s ripe. If the fruits are still pale or green, they aren’t ready yet.

What is toxic squash syndrome?

The toxicity associated with consumption of foods high in cucurbitacins is sometimes referred to as “toxic squash syndrome”. In France in 2018, two women who ate soup made from bitter pumpkins became sick, involving nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and had hair loss weeks later.

Why is my spaghetti squash green striped?

Some recipes call for unripe spaghetti squash, so if you must harvest one, you may still be able to eat it. When you see spaghetti squash with green stripes, it is most likely a hybrid, like stripetti squash (Cucurbita pepo), says Melissa’s.

How do you harvest spaghetti squash?

To know when your spaghetti squash is right then when you want to harvest your spaghetti squash make sure you use your pruners. Cut it from the vine don't tear it from the vine.

How do you pick the best spaghetti squash?

A ripe spaghetti squash will be firm, a golden yellow or dark yellow colour, and should feel heavier than it looks! Pick a spaghetti squash that’s free of soft spots, and doesn’t have any cracks in the skin on the outside. To pick a good spaghetti squash, you should also look for a stem that’s firm and dry.

How long does a spaghetti squash take to grow?

Closely related to summer squash (young spaghetti squash fruits look like short, stout zucchinis), spaghetti squash mature faster than most other winter squash, producing mature fruits about eight weeks after planting.

Do spaghetti squash climb?

Color on it and one thing I do want to mention is how spaghetti squash is one of those squash that can be grown on a trellis nice yep otherwise they spread out in the garden.

Can you plant the seeds from a spaghetti squash?

Spaghetti squash is easy to grow and provides a wealth of essential nutrients, such as vitamins A and C. Once the danger of frost has passed, you can safely sow spaghetti squash seeds or plants and harvest in a few short months.

Can you plant spaghetti squash next to zucchini?

You can plant different varieties together, but you won’t want to save seeds from the crops produce since they can cross-pollinate and affect later crops. We love growing both yellow summer squash and zucchini together. As your plants grow, make sure the soil is moist but not continually saturated.

What plants keep bugs away from squash?

Companion planting is also worth a try, using repellent plants that deter the squash bug. They include catnip, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, bee balm and mint.

Can you plant tomatoes and spaghetti squash together?

Their spreading form and large leaves means they create good ground cover, reducing water loss from the site. Squash and tomatoes also require similar growing conditions, and so can work well together.

What happens if you plant squash too close together?

The scuttlebutt is that planting cucurbits too close together will result in oddball squash and gourds.

How many squash will one plant produce?

how many squash do you get per plant? For butternut squash you can expect 5 or 6 fruits per plant through the growing season, for some larger squash and pumpkins you may only get 2 to 4.

Can spaghetti squash cross-pollinate with zucchini?

Because of this, a zucchini can indeed cross-pollinate with a spaghetti squash. However, when this occurs, you will not see the effects of that cross that same year.