Fall and winter varieties must have hard rinds. Pick them when they are mature, when the stems begin to turn brown and shrivel. Fruit can be picked either when fully ripe or when pink. Many vegetables can be stored for use during the winter. Practically every home has at least one spot where vegetables can be safely stored.
Some ideal spots are an unheated basement, a garage, or the crawl space under the home.
A cold, dark attic, a spot under a staircase, or cupboards in the utility room also are often suitable for storing vegetables. Most vegetables should be stored in boxes or on shelves. Never place vegetables on a dirt or cement floor, as both tend to be too moist. Some root crops like carrots and beets can be stored in a pit, barrel, or box in vermiculite, sand, or light soil in a cool, well-ventilated room. Ideal temperatures for storage are between 35 and 50 degrees.