[viettaclark]

Please can anyone tell me how big Harrier bns grow or when to pick?
This is the first year (out of 4) I've had viable fruit and I'm sure it's due to planting in soil rather than pots.
I have pinched out one tip because the vine was 10' long. There are more flower buds opening every day and the fruit are swelling really quickly!
The Fiesta have done nothing....just a small bunch of leaves!

[DD.]

The vines grow as big as you let them! I let 5 ramble over an area 4m x 10m last year.

The fruit can also grow quite large one weighed in at 7lb+. Wait until they are golden yellow if you can before harvesting, or if you think there's a frost coming, you may have to have any unripe fruit off and try & ripen off the vine.

[bigben]

If it is any consolation VC this has been my worst for squash - most are just tennis ball size. I have not grown butternut this year on my own allotment but a friend let me put some in on a bed he was not using and they have come to nothing (though I did put them in a bit late). I suspect it is a combination of not enough water and a cool start to the season.

[someoneorother]

Same for me - my butternuts have been much smaller and less numerous this year compared to last. Almost certainly down to the weather.

[sunshineband]

Last year there was an average of five large, solid fruits about 8-9 inches long per plant, plus some smaller ones.

This year, one squash two inches big ... that's it 

[Kajazy]

I got one lovely large butternut squash, then I tried shifting it to a better position to ripen and it came off the plant!!  Oh well. Are there any other good winter squash to grow? I love the idea of a squash that will last for months and months after harvest and over the winter (and without the use of the bursting freezer...!)

[sunshineband]

Turks turban last well, and taste scrummy 

We had some winter gems that lasted through until early summer from last autumn too 

[Kajazy]

Brilliant - thank you!

[mumofstig]

Thelma Sanders (well I had to recommend it again, didn't I ) and Uchiki Kuri are mid-sized squash (fruit and plant) that always do well for me

Sunny, the Sunshine squash (named after you? ) is also doing well this year

[sunshineband]

Thelma Sanders (well I had to recommend it again, didn't I ) and Uchiki Kuri are mid-sized squash (fruit and plant) that always do well for me

Sunny, the Sunshine squash (named after you? ) is also doing well this year

  mais oui 

[ermck1]

Butternuts. Hmmmm

Loads of leaf - flowers now, no fruit! Due for compost heap saturday.

Mike

[Pimento]

My butternut squash have done nothing - really disappointing.

Even my little patty pan squash which are normally prolific have produced only a handful of fruits so far, and the plants have just about had it.

A rubbish squashy year all round!!

P

[crh75]

I grow a variety called Nice Long.  They are hugh and I still have one and a half left from last year! They are definitely the longest keepers I have tried.

http://www.organiccatalogue.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_22_43_114&products_id=1314

[Azazello]

I have 9 (I think) on my Waltham; they are small (but perfectly formed) - a bit worried that they won't get to ripen as it's getting a bit chilly at night now and perhaps the first frost is not too far off.

The plant is absurdly large.

[NN2Blue]

I grow a variety called Nice Long.  They are hugh and I still have one and a half left from last year! They are definitely the longest keepers I have tried.

http://www.organiccatalogue.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_22_43_114&products_id=1314

That looks a good one! Might grow that next year! I loves my squash I do! Some of my butternuts lasted until late April this year perched on a south west facing window ledge.
This year I've gone for "Squashkin" - have 14 medium sized fruit, "Invincible" 2 large fruits, "Guatemalan Blue Bananas" 3 very large fruits and two "Pink Bananas" one of which is probably the biggest squash I've grown. It's not record book size but I'm pleased!  It's been really hard work getting the squashes to germinate and thrive this year.