[themoog]

For the first year I've successfully grown some pumpkins and squash which I hope to store. I know that I need to use up the pumpkins first, but what's the best storage temperature?

John's new book says, " once cured, they move into our cool, dark root cellar onto slatted shelves." However, the Riverford Farm Cookbook reckons that, "once inside, squash and pumpkins need to be kept somewhere warm and dry, ideally, where the temperature never drops below 14 deg. C."

So...top of the kitchen dresser or in our cold garage?

What do you do with yours?

[themoog]

Sorry, Val and John's new book. Very rude of me  .

[mumofstig]

I keep them in the warm for a couple of weeks till the skins are really hard, then move them into the unheated spare bedroom.

Tozer seeds: Optimum Temperature – storage

Pumpkins and winter squash are very chilling sensitive when stored below 10°C (50°F).
 
Depending on the cultivar a storage life of 2 to 6 months can be expected at 12.5-15°C (55-59°F).

High storage temperature (>15°C) will result in excessive weight loss, color loss and poor eating quality.

[RichardA]

mine go onto slatted shelves in airy but dark garage which is frost free but only just frost free (I cover potatoes with rugs). So storing method for squashes and pumpkins is just the same as I use for marrows, onions, potatoes etc. Useful to wipe with very mild disinfectant to keep mildew off (I use baby wipes).
Marrows last well into new year but squashes soon taken by kitchen staff and pumpkins get much reduced by the lantern carvers for Halloween. I have kept potatoes and onions thro to May.
R

[Sue33]

we stored butternut squash in the shed at the allotment last winter - wrong  they went all mushy so i've got mine on paper under the kitchen counter for now, only picked them Saturday (14 in all  :happy:) not going to chance leaving them outside, so they'll probably end up in the conservatory, once i've given away a few and made soup.

[compostqueen]

Cool! 

I've had one explode on me already!  It was in the kitchen ready to be turned into marmalade.  Sigh    Too warm I guess

[8doubles]

I keep mine on wire racks in a double glazed but unheated conservatory . They get lots of sunlight and good air circulation which helps prevent mould and keep them in good condition till next may.
If you can store them where you can keep an eye on them , i have never had more than 2 go bad (out of 46) in a winter.
Some of the seeds in the squashes kept till may do start to sprout but the flesh is still good.

No exploders so far.

[Sue33]

has anyone tried freezing them ?

[mumofstig]

yes........you can cut them into wedges for roasting, or small pieces for mashing or stews/pies. Or make pumpkin soup and freeze.
It works really well..........but I've no room left in the freezer

[Madame Cholet]

Iv'e put the pumkins on a 4 ft high shelf in the pantry under the stars will that be ok? or too cold. The apples are in mushroom racks just off the floor they keep ok.

[Yorkie]

That sounds fine, rachelk

[Paul Plots]

Iv'e put the pumkins on a 4 ft high shelf in the pantry under the stars will that be ok? or too cold. The apples are in mushroom racks just off the floor they keep ok.

Under the stairs  that's where our Butternut Squash spend the winter until they are invited out to join us 

We kept some right through to early spring and they were fine... temps around 12 to 15 C as far as I can tell... (Personally I'm not a fan of sat sitting under the stairs... much) 

[themoog]

Thanks, they've been clogging up a corner of the kitchen for a couple of weeks, so I'll move them into the garage tomorrow.

I'll store the crown prince and roast/soup a couple the jack o'lanterns to be on the safe side.