You should pick spaghetti squash in late summer or early fall before the first frost. Typically, the squash is ready to harvest about 40 to 50 days after the flowers bloom, or roughly around 90 to 110 days after planting, depending on the variety. Signs that spaghetti squash is ready to pick include:
- The vine and stem start to turn dry and brown.
- The skin color turns from green or pale to a deep golden yellow.
- The skin loses its shiny gloss and appears dull or matte.
- The rind becomes hard and tough; it should resist puncture when you press your fingernail into it.
- The squash sounds hollow when thumped, indicating maturity.
It is best to leave 2 to 3 inches of stem attached when cutting the squash from the vine to help it store longer and prevent rot. Harvest before any hard freeze to avoid damage. If needed, nearly mature squash can continue ripening off the vine in a warm, sunny spot indoors. In summary, watch for the color change, hardness of the skin, browning of the vine, and the time since flowering or planting (around 90-110 days) to know when to pick your spaghetti squash.
