How do you know when acorn and butternut squash are ripe?

[Stubbornhillfarm]

I only have about 5 acorn and 2 butternut squashes that have made it to full developement. The vines appear to be dying off. How do I know when they are ripe to pick? Thanks for your help!

 

[lesa]

If the vines are totally dead, you can pick them. I usually wait until just before frost- but my vines are still growing and alive right now....In fact, my butternut vines have now stretched almost all the way across my garden! Another week and they will be there!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

OK. Great! Thanks lesa. There is still some green on the plants, they are just looking really sad. I will leave them until they are completely dead. Thanks for your help!

 

[ninnymary]

Well Lesa...my vines are already looking kind of dead but I think it's from neglect. Remember, I planted some in a hugh pot on my deck? Well, I didn't take very good care of it. I meant to get some shade cloth to cover the pot and I never did. As a result I think the roots kind of cooked. I do have very small squashes. One of them has the color of the ones you buy but is the size of an eggplant. I guess I should pick it huh?

Mary

 

[lesa]

Container gardening is such challenge! Just a few days of neglect, can be a real problem. (Just ask my window boxes!) If your squash looks ripe, Mary- go ahead and eat it. I have had tiny to huge butternut, and they have all been delish! Enjoy!

 

[seedcorn]

If winter squash are dying premature, check for squash bugs. They seem to do their damage this time of year.

 

[lesa]

It is my understanding ( and experience ) that squash bugs will not bother butternut squash...

 

[seedcorn]

It is my understanding ( and experience ) that squash bugs will not bother butternut squash...

They did mine this year, altho now they are dead.

 

[GardenWeasel]

Squash Vine Borers are deterred by the thick stems of butternut and other C. moschata types of squash and pumpkins. Squash bugs like them all. I do squash bug patrol daily for the eggs and later as I always miss some for the bugs.