Turban Squash Varieties

Varieties

• Nearly every winter squash has been adapted for various traits such as compact growth, large fruit or disease resistance, and turban squash are no different. Three varieties available are "Aladdin's Turban," "Mini Red Turban" and "Turk's Turban." The Aladdin's Turban is a smaller variety of the Turk's Turban and tends to have more green on the rind than the other two. Mini Red has even smaller fruit, with flesh that is more red than orange. The most common variety is Turk's Turban, which has fruit weighing about 3 lbs.

Growing Turban Squash

• Unless you live in a warm climate, start your squash seeds inside about a month before your region's last frost date. Once nighttime temperatures average 50 degrees Fahrenheit, move your seedlings outside. The plants need plenty of room to grow, so allow at least 2 feet on either side of the plant. Squash need full sun and fertile soil that drains well. Water regularly, and provide a balanced fertilizer when the plant flowers and when fruit develops.

Turban Squash Harvest

• It's tempting to harvest your turban squash when it gets to be a certain size, but timing your harvest right will lead to the squash storing better. Wait until the vines have turned brown and the stem near the squash is dry. Instead of plucking the fruit, cut it with a pair of clean garden clippers, leaving at least 2 inches of stem on the squash. Handle the squash carefully as you clean it with soap and water. After the squash dries, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol.

Curing Turban Squash

• To store your turban squash, you will need to cure them. This hardens the outer shell to lessen mold development. Once the squash is completely dry after the post-harvest wash, place your squash in a single layer in a dark area with good ventilation.The individual squashes should not touch each other. Let them dry for a week, turning them and checking for rot daily. The color of the squash will darken and become more intense, making an attractive decoration for fall.