[new_2_veg]

hi all i have a huge butternut squash at the alotment but i have no idea when to cut it, can anyone help?

if i pick it to early will it ripen while in storage?  just everyone on the plot keeps saying how nice it is and i dont want it to vanish on me

nathan

[PAULW]

Nathan
I think you are going to have to cut it, I am in the same position my butternut are still green and I dont think we are going to get enough sun to ripen them on the vine and as you say you dont want it to be nicked.
I am going to put mine in the greenhouse and try to finish them off in there.

[gobs]

It won't ripen in storage, but if you don't want to eat it that will make no difference.

If you want to get it riper, might be easiest to wrap it in straw or similar.

[PAULW]

GOBS
Could you explain what you mean, do you mean wrap it in straw and leave it on the vine, how does this help if the vine is going down because of the cold nights, I thought leaving it exposed to the sun to harden the skin would have been the better option although I do realise the will not be fit for storing for very long.

[PatR]

I picked mine when they went slightly yellow, then ripened them off under glass frames, as something tried to gnaw at them, I suspect rabbits as we have loads arounf us. Ive eaten some and they are sweet. They didnt look as deep a colour as bought in shops in uk but tasted lovely.

[Hampshire Hog]

I managed to grow one last year from a shop bought fruit and it ripened ok on the kitchen window ledge in sunlight.

Cheers HH