[compostqueen]

Lovely collection of squashes there    I love them all and grow as many as possible. I let them rampage all over the place as they keep the weeds down.  I try and keep the fruits off the soil though by putting a brick or tile etc underneath them

I have harvested a dark green butternut as it seemed ripe, was hard and sounded hollow when I knocked on it.  So I expect they're not all orange

I have loads still left growing on the plot, including butternuts and my fave Crown Princes which are not ready yet

Storage is a problem as they need cool and dry. I think mine will go in the attic as well 

[JayG]

This week I have topped up the insulation in my loft (the roof itself has no insulation) so I have very recent knowledge of how much the temperature can vary in such spaces (when the sun comes out onto the black slates it becomes a furnace inside, even at this time of year!)   

More modern attics with insulation under the roof covering are no doubt better, but I wouldn't store any fresh produce in mine!

[JohnB47]

By the by - what are those huge plastic tanks in wire cages used for - the ones in the pumpkins pic? There are quite a few on allotments in my area but none of them appear to be used for anything. They just sit there.

Just wondering.

[8doubles]

I am a believer in keeping squash in the sun, make sure they have good air flow around them (on a wire rack is good)  and the UV rays in sunlight will kill moulds and mildews that may flourish in the dark.
A bit of heat from the sun during the day will dry the skin out and do no harm.
Make sure they are kept frost free and they will keep till May!

The B`nut in the photo has gone from green to yellow and is ready to cut (with plenty of stalk) and store.

[fluffstermum]

John - loads of people here have those cages tank things linked up to guttering. Our society recommend them in an attempt to save money on water by collecting as much as possible. I don't think our neighbours' are doing anything with theirs though yet.

Thanks 8doubles, I did wonder whether those butternuts would get any paler. The have lightened but I took that green tinge as meaning they weren't quite ready. Will bring those in then 

[madcat]

They are 1,000 litre tanks, used in industry for the storage of liquids.  Wonderful space efficient things.  We've got one that used to have meths in it I think, for making biodesiel.  cleaned out and hooked up to the shed guttering, it gives us a water supply on the allotment. 

[webby139]

Thanks all,

I think i'll just leave and see what happens.
One of the issues i had was there was never any male and female flowers out at the same time !!!

I'll see what i get, in the next few weeks.

But i think i'll be using the space to grow more of something else next year other than 4 - 5 mid-size butternut squash.