Do you dream of growing the perfect acorn squash? You start with a tiny seed, give it lots of sunshine and water, and now it’s looking plump and promising. But how do you know when to pick an acorn squash so it’s perfectly ripe?

That’s where the fun (and the challenge) begins! Harvest too soon, and you might end up with a bland squash. Wait too long, and it could be overripe and mushy.

Learn the perfect time to harvest acorn squash so you can reap the rewards of your gardening labor and enjoy the sweetest, peak flavor possible!

The Squash Family

Squash season brings out the best comforting soups, pies, casseroles, and other side dishes. Did you know that squashes are technically fruits since they have seeds and come from the flower part of the plant? But because they’re more savory than sweet, we cook them like vegetables!  

There are over 100 squash varieties, split into summer and winter varieties. If you’ve been to a farmers market, you’ve probably seen many different types of squash—butternut squash, kabocha, acorn, spaghetti, pumpkin, delicata, and zucchini. 

What Is Acorn Squash? 

Acorn squash is a winter squash variety from the gourd family. It’s shaped like an acorn and comes in colors from dark green to white, though the most common ones are dark green with a bright orange patch at the top.

Inside, acorn squash has sweet, yellow-orange flesh with a nutty flavor. It’s grown worldwide but is especially loved in North America. Its delicious and slightly nutty taste makes it a popular choice, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Acorn Squash Planting Time and Growing Season

Do you have garden space for a big plant? You’ll need about 50 square feet per hill with two to three acorn squash plants.

Start planting between late May and early June. Plant five seeds per hill when the soil is warm and no heavy frost is expected. Acorn squash loves temperatures between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (20-32°C). It’s a good idea to use rich soil and all-purpose fertilizer and make sure they get plenty of sun.

Once your seeds sprout, keep just the strongest two or three plants per hill, and keep the area weed-free with shallow digging. Watch out for pests and diseases while you tend to your vegetable gardens!

Why Does Harvesting Time Matter?

Winter squashes might look ready to pick, but they need to reach the mature fruit stage for the best taste. The starch and dry matter in the squash peak around 30-35 days after pollination, but full maturity isn’t until 55 days later when the seeds are fully developed. 

If you pick too early, the seeds will keep developing, but the squash won’t be as tasty. 

Harvest winter squash if the plant’s leaves start to die off early due to powdery mildew or other issues, as this stops the squash from getting any better and leaves it exposed to sunburn and pests. 

How To Know When Acorn Squash Is Ready To Pick

So, you’ve grown your acorn squashes. How do you know when the right time to pick them is?

• Color Changes: Ripe acorn squash turns from yellow to deep orange where it touches the ground. If the whole squash is orange, it’s overripe.
• Weight: A ripe acorn squash should weigh between one to three pounds. If it’s too big, it might be dry and stringy. If it feels lighter, it has lost moisture and will be drier.
• Rind: The skin should be dull and firm. If you can’t pierce its tough skin with your thumbnail, it’s ready. Summer squashes are soft with thin skin and can be easily pierced with a thumbnail, but a mature winter squash has tougher skin that gives a longer shelf life.
• Stem Condition: Pick your squash when the plant’s stem is shriveled, the vines are dying back, and the shell is hard.

How Can You Tell If Acorn Squash Has Gone Bad?

To tell if a squash has gone bad, check these signs:

• Soft spots on the skin or a mushy texture means it’s spoiled. If it starts leaking fluid, it’s definitely gone bad!
• Mushy or slimy inner flesh and seeds are a big no-no. Acorn squash seeds should be light yellow or golden. If they turn gray, the squash is bad.
• Any mold is a clear sign to toss it.
• Fresh squash smells good. If it smells musty or foul, it’s spoiled! 
• If it tastes off or bitter, don’t eat it.

How Do You Ripen Acorn Squash Quickly?

Don’t throw away unripe green squash just because heavy frosts are hitting! Even if your squash is still on the vine and the weather is turning cold, you can still save it with a few easy steps. 

First, use a clean, sharp knife to cut it from the vine, leaving about an inch of stem. Wash the acorn squash to avoid mold or bacteria.

After washing, let them dry and then place them in a warm, sunny spot, around 80-85°F (27-29°C) with 80-85% relative humidity. A sunny windowsill or greenhouse table works great. Turn the squash every few days to ensure they ripen evenly. It usually becomes ripe in the second week.

Tips on How to Harvest and Store Acorn Squash

• Winter squash are usually ready to pick about 50-55 days after they start growing, and you should harvest them before the first frost hits.
• Carefully cut the squash from the vines, leaving a bit of the stem attached in order to prevent disease. Cure your squash by letting them under full sun for 5-7 days or more, or keep them in a well-ventilated spot indoors with a warm temperature.
• Keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, and skip the fridge. The cold and moisture can make them go bad quickly. 
• Handle your squash gently—avoid rolling or bumping them to prevent bruising. Lay them out on a ventilated rack or shelf, and turn them occasionally to keep them in top shape.

Why Cure Squash?

After harvest, squash still holds extra water inside. The curing process—storing squash in a warm place with good airflow—lets this water evaporate. This process does three fantastic things:

1. It concentrates the natural sugars, making the squash taste sweeter.
2. It slows down how fast the squash uses up its energy, so it stays fresh longer.
3. It helps prevent mold and rot.

How to Tell When Acorn Squash is Ripe in the Grocery Store

Picking a ripe acorn squash at the grocery store can be tricky, but there are a few easy tips to find a good one.

• Choose the squash that feels heavy for its size and has smooth, dull skin with no soft spots.
• You want a mix of green and orange colors. Skip any squash with shiny skin—it’s probably not fully ripe unless it’s been waxed by the producer.
• Avoid squash that weighs more than three pounds. They’re likely overripe and dry and stringy inside.

How Long Does it Take for Acorn Squash to Rot?

Acorn squash can stay good for about 3-4 weeks or even up to 2 months of storage time if you keep it in ideal conditions.

But watch out for marks on the portion of the skin—if you see them, they could be a sign of rot starting. These spots are just on the surface, so keep an eye out to catch any problems early!