How to tell that Squash are ready?

[T-lady]

How do I tell if squash are ready for harvesting? I was sort of expecting to leave them on the vine until the first frost is threatened but ... I read yesterday that this can be a mistake as they might 'go over' / get old and woody.

I have a Boston squash - a yellow hubbard type - that is already over a foot long and it's starting to scare me! How much bigger do I let it get?

and if my veggie spaghetti are about 8", is that about right or do I leave them longer ... help please?

[lzyjo]

Winter squashes are usually ready when the skin is hard enough that you can press it with your fingernail without leaving a mark.

[T-lady]

Thanks lzyjo - if your fingernail does go in when you're testing does the wound heal itself?

[gojiberry]

Don't know if squashes are the same as marrows. With marrow it is a case of tapping and getting a hollow sound, and the marrows will still have a softish skin which needs ripening to a hard skin in the sun (if it ever comes out). Don't know if that is much help.

Ian

[PAULW]

I dont know if it is right but I usually find when the stem that joins the vine has gone dry and brittle you can be pretty sure that the squash has finished growing and can be picked, so I am not certain how they can get old and woody I grow my squashes on mass about 10 - 12 scrabbling over each other I put a cane in to mark the roots so in dry weather I can aim a jet of water to give them a drink during the growing I do not go among the squashes for fear of stepping on a vine and causing damage, once the plants start to go over I will then venture in and pick up the squash although you have done a rough count it is suprising how many more you find hidden under the foliage.

[T-lady]

Thanks Paulw - looks like sensible advice to me. I think I've just harvested my first Kakai pumpkin too early then!