Harvesting Tips: Melons and Squash

How do you know when melons and squash are ripe for the picking? Here are a few key indicators I look for that may help you out.

[dereksmalls]

Great tip about the tendrils, never knew that! Also, I followed your advice on pruning pepper plants and I got a huge increase in crops! So much hot sauce to make this Autumn ;)

[userbosco]

Not sure how I missed this video, but glad I found it! What a great looking pumpkin!!! Envy!

[DENNISPS]

Great presentation. If I could offer a couple of ideas, I grow a lot of Waltham Butternut squash that keep until April or May. I’ve found that wiping the surface of the squash with a 1:3 dilution of bleach is a big help. Also a trick that kids get a kick out of is when a developing pumpkin gets the size of a softball, use a ballpoint pen to write the child’s name just breaking the surface. The pumpkin will scar with the name and the result is a personalized pumpkin. I also want to say I wish you would post more frequent videos.

[dcguitarlessons]

Awesome tips! Thank you. I am starting sugar babies, and a variety of squash.

[rnrnnlh]

Solid videos, your love for plants, your knowledge, thanks for sharing.

[jessenstarr]

Hey Veronica! Great information! Happy Fall Gardening!

[dezertraider]

Thank you Veronica, Great to see you on YT...Peppers are doing well, Pumpkin and Acorn Sq are doing well also and I will look for the brown to see if there is a sport/steady hand adjustment on our are running out of time here in Maine.But had a great like to see your potatoes and pepper video?
You are the best, Stay well and I will stay tuned..TY73s

[shamanism]

Love your gardening videos Veronica, I'm learning so much from you all around in my garden. Thank you thank you! <3

[pingpong]

I was so excited to grow water melon on a small compost heap... the vine grew beautifully and spread out... Then the horror! It only produced pickling cucumbers! So much for buying seeds!

[theleatherface]

Those melons look awesome! Well grown.

[chasmofsar]

Great choice in your pruning tool. Everyone should own one. I don't remember the brand, but I've had that same pruner for 25 years and even used it commercially for a couple of years. I've never sharpened it and always abused it! Highly recommend.

[ecocentrichomestead]

last year, the season had come to an end and, I had small pumpkins that were not finished growing much less ripened. I sliced, spiced, and fried them. They were delicious. So pumpkins can be harvested immature like some other squashes if one would like.

[bigbob]

This is the video I've been waiting for... you explained everything that I needed to know...thank you and Happy Autumn!

[TheBrianjones]

Wow, this was incredibly useful for us. Thanks!

[Nora]

Great video, Vernonica. Thanks. Also, if it's not too late, I'd love to see a short video of your peppers that you pruned. I grew 12 varieties from around the world this year, but, since I'd never tried them before, was too intimidated to try the severe pruning.

[supernovauk]

The microphone's great! I always learn with your videos but this time I watched a couple of times just to listen to the leaves and the farm noises. It's a beautiful place u got there. I bet there's a lot to do but I feel as if I've meditated just by watching the video. I probably need some holidays :p

[gmoney]

Gorgeous...and the squash looks good, too

[jeepron]

You give such great tips. Learned a lot on this video. I have always struggled deciding when to harvest my melons and squash. Picked a few to early this year. Slip stems and brown? Is that the little arm that wants to grab everything? LOL. Thanks again..!! Have a great day..!!

[doobs]

Do you encounter powdery mildew problems on your melons leaves? I got it on mine every time i grew melons, few years back i just gave up on it. I've tried spraying milk on them and even using soaker hoses to prevent any water splashing on them along with having them raised off the ground. Since the first time it happened I now get it on my Peonies, and sometimes spots on the grass. Anything you can contribute would be appreciated. I've been told though that it's just the hard water in my area. I don't know if they are worth the time to filter my garden hose water. Great informative video, was happy to see an upload. Happy Gardening

[ftang]

Hi Veronica, love your informative videos:) Please make some on pests; especially leaf miners and white dots on leaves. They always attacks my vegetables and I can never win even when using neem oil😥. I don't want to use chemicals as well. Please help!