KC Gardens: Has the time to reap summer squash arrived?
How do you know when it is time to harvest summer squash? — Marilyn
Summer squash should be harvested when they are still immature, which is before the skin and seeds have toughened. Leaving them on the plant too long will sap the strength of the mother plant, and more importantly the fruit will be tough. Generally the long varieties should be harvested at 6 to 8 inches long, or 2 inches in diameter.
Patty pan types should be harvested at about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Summer squash develop quickly, so frequent picking will be in order. — Carole Brandt, Johnson County Extension master gardener
To read more on this topic or to get your gardening questions answered on The Star’s KC Gardens blog by Carole Brandt and other extension experts, go to KCGardens.KansasCity.com.
This story was originally published July 19, 2014 at 7:29 PM with the headline "KC Gardens: Has the time to reap summer squash arrived?."