These bushy or vining plants are found in every garden, often volunteering to guard the compost pile with large spreading leaves. Contrary to the name, winter squash is actually grown in the summer, started the same time as summer squash, but it takes much longer to mature. When it is ripe the fruits will have a hard outer shell and store all winter. Pumpkins are a type of winter squash that tends to be singled out for the orange rind and round shape. Summer squash are the same species as many winter squash but they are eaten at the immature stage, when the skin is still very delicate & tender.
