Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Floody on August 16, 2014, 17:42

Title: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: Floody on August 16, 2014, 17:42

Another newbie question from me...

This is my first time growing butternut squash and kabocha squash.  Some of these are getting comparatively quite large, as shown in the photos...but how do I tell when they are ready?  :unsure:

As always, many thanks for your advice.  :)

Floody

Title: Re: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: Yorkie on August 16, 2014, 18:02

Wait until the stem has gone dry and hard - then cut the squash off with a few " of stem on it, to maximise storage duration.

Title: Re: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: mumofstig on August 16, 2014, 18:50

They tend to change colour and become less shiny as well  ;)

Title: Re: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: RJR_38 on August 16, 2014, 19:25

Quote from: Yorkie on August 16, 2014, 18:02

Wait until the stem has gone dry and hard - then cut the squash off with a few " of stem on it, to maximise storage duration.

Only if you have no rat/squirrel problems! If I leave mine that long they have already eaten most of it! I have to pick mine a bit before that and finish ripening them on the windowsill. I haven't found good protection for the squash yet as I refuse to net the whole plant

Title: Re: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 16, 2014, 22:36

My butternut are still small and green.  Last year I only had 3 fruits, but they didn't ripen properly!   :(

Title: Re: Butternut Squash & Kabocha Squash - when are they ready?
Post by: Totty on August 17, 2014, 11:42

I leave all of them until the first frost threatens.

Totty