Winter squash

When the ‘umbilical cord’ from the parent plant dies back, gently knock the base. If it sounds hollow, harvest it, ideally leaving a ‘T’ shape of stalk to prevent rot se ing in at the neck. Traditionally pumpkins are ‘cured’ in the sun to harden the skin for keeping, but with the terrible weather we’re ge ing this year, I’ve been pu ing mine on cake-cooling racks indoors! In cool conditions, some varieties, such as ‘Crown Prince’, will easily last until May.