Winter squash will last all winter, provided you pick and store them properly. Pick the squash from the vine when they've developed a deep color, which indicates maturity. Handle the fruit gently; any injury to the rind will make the squash store poorly. Leave about 1 inch of stem. Cure the rind by exposing the squash to full sun for at least seven to 10 days. If frost is expected during this period, cover the fruits in the evening. To store the squash, pack them in single layers in a crate, placing crumpled newspapers between each one. Store them in a warm, protected location between 50 and 60 degrees F. Temperatures below this range can cause injury, so avoid storing the squash in your garage. You can expect to store Hubbard squash up to six months, butternut from two to three months, and acorn for five to eight weeks.
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