[Ma Lowe]

I have about 12 butternut squashes growing in the garden and have heard the forecast is going to be rather cold tonight with  maybe a threat of frost. I believe that you wait until the foliage dies back before harvesting but I also heard that frosts can damage them.
Do you think it should be ok to leave them a while longer as some of them are still green.  Has anyone harvested theirs yet?

[Baldy]

Not sure about the frost issue - seems likely - but my butternut got harvested last week as the foliage had all died off so they wern;t going to get any bigger.
My advice would be to get them in - but I'm a bit lessthanknowledgeable about squash.

Hope that helps 

Cheers,
Balders

[mumofstig]

I'd pick them if they were mine 

[Ma Lowe]

Thanks baldy. My foliage is still looking great so am a bit loath to get them in especially with it not being a firm forecast for frost. I might fleece them instead 

[Ma Lowe]

I'd pick them if they were mine 

Didn't see your reply Mum, oh dear what to do what to do. Will wait for hubby to come home at 8pm and decide then 

[Baldy]

Kent and Devon - both quite a long way south(er) than you Ma. and we've run scared 

Cheers,
Balders

[Baldy]

Realistically - I can't see that you are going to get much more growth from them now given the shortening daylight...

Cheers,
Balders

[Ma Lowe]

Yeah true, ok I will go and get them in the greenhouse for tonight. Will they be ok in there and what about the green ones will they mature ok?

[Baldy]

Clean them off and put them in some sunshine and they should ripen up.
(Not a squash expert though... MOS will be back in a minute to call my bluff) 

Cheers,
Balders

[Kristen]

I leave mine out until mid October, unless frost is forecast (definitely need to get them in before a frost ...)

My foliage is going over, but there is still a bit of life in it, and one or two of the Butternuts are still a bit green in places.

Cut the fruits with several inches of stem either side, like a "T" (but don't carry them by that as it may not be strong enough), then they want to cure in a warm sunny spot - conservatory or greenhouse - for a couple of weeks before storing.

[mumofstig]

Clean them off and put them in some sunshine and they should ripen up.
(Not a squash expert though... MOS will be back in a minute to call my bluff) 

You don't need me to tell you what to do, you are doing ok on your own 

[Ma Lowe]

Just been on Met office website and for this area it says there maybe a risk of ground frost in rural areas . I am not in a rural area so do you think it will be safe to leave them as it's getting dark now too 

[Baldy]

Yeah - but I keep reading Surbies's squash comments - I'm "just a child"... 

Cheers,
Balders

[Baldy]

Ma - its getting late - if frost is only hitting rural (maybe) then you'll probably get away with it.

If not and your squash get ruined -   I'm guessing that you won't be holidaying in North Devon next year, and any info. I've given about the location of my allotment was a lie, so you'll never find me.... 

Cheers,
balders

[Baldy]

I'd pick em soon though..

Cheers,
Balders