Storing Winter Squash and Pumpkins

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Whether you grew pumpkins and winter squash or if you are purchasing pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving there are ways to prolong their shelf life. The key is to slow the rate of respiration and protect against storage rots.
Immature squash and pumpkins do not store well; therefore, be sure that the fruit is mature before harvesting. Mature butternut, acorn, and Hubbard-type squash have very hard skins that cannot be punctured with your thumbnail. Pumpkins have softer skin but will exhibit a slightly duller appearance when mature. Dead vines do not necessarily indicate the squash and pumpkins are mature. Vines can die prematurely from disease, stress, or early frost.
Special care should be exercised to protect harvested fruit from excessively high (>95°F) and cold (<50°F) temperatures, asphyxiation, and injuries such as scratches, cuts, or bruises. Not only are injuries unsightly, they also provide an easy entrance for various rot-producing organisms.
Steps to minimize squash and pumpkin rots include:
1. Harvest fruits when they are mature and the rind is hard, but before night temperatures are below 40°F.
2. Do not harvest or handle wet fruit. Do not let harvested fruit get wet.
3. Harvest, handle and store fruit carefully to avoid injuries.
4. Do not pick up freshly harvested fruit by the stem, because it may separate from the fruit and provide easy access for rot organisms.
5. Washing is usually not desirable, but if washing is necessary, be sure the water is chlorinated (approximately one part 5.25% liquid bleach to 99 parts water). Prepare a fresh wash solution when the water becomes cloudy and chlorine cannot be detected. Dry thoroughly.
6. Harvested fruit should be stored with good ventilation at 50 to 55°F and 50 to 75% relative humidity.
7. Storage life is typically 2 to 3 months without significant loss in quality.
For more information, call the Wilson Extension Master Gardeners at 252-237-0113 or email at wilsonemgv@hotmail.com.

Written By

Cyndi Lauderdale, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionCyndi LauderdaleExtension Agent, Agriculture - Commercial Ornamental and Consumer Horticulture Call Cyndi Email Cyndi N.C. Cooperative Extension, Wilson County Center
Updated on Oct 24, 2022
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close
Scannable QR Code to Access Electronic Version