First Butternut Squash

[jackie j]

YAHOO picked my first butternut squash yesterday as its the only one that was big enough to pick I thought I would get it before someone or something else did. It might be the only one lots more developing but some are rotting..

[rustylady]

Well done Jackie. I picked 7 last week. Loads better than last year when I didn't get any.

[jaykay]

Mine are growing well too but are a light greeny yellow colour - will the skins get more 'buttery' as they ripen or do I need to help them out with food?

[jackie j]

I dont think mine is ripe enough but I didnt want to leave it to chance so am going to ripen it a bit indoors. I hope some of the others get a bit bigger as well.

[amandaandherveg]

I'm so jealous, couldn't even get mine to germinate. Oh well, got my seeds for next year.

[jackie j]

I have weighd it this morning and it weighs 1lb 15oz

[SarzWix]

Mine has only just decided to set a fruit (just as I'm about to pull it out!), so I'm a bit envious of those of you with fruits almost ready! Still we did get a couple of decent pumpkins
Well done Jackie, hope it tastes great

[rew15]

What sort of size should I be pulling these at? Also should I leave them much longer before the weather turns (did it really change???)
I have about a dozen or so but they are only 4-6 inches long and don't look ripe yet.

[jackie j]

I dont really know I just picked mine as it is quite big but not ripe, as the weather has been lovely here and is set to continue I could have left it a bit longer, I didnt want someone else to take it not that it has happened before or eat it ( slugs ) I havent cooked it yet.

[SlugLobber]

My lonely squash is also a greeny-yellow colour and hasn't changed in size for weeks it seems! I have fed the plant, so I suppose it's just lack of sun (for a change!).

[Demeter]

My lonely squash is also a greeny-yellow colour and hasn't changed in size for weeks it seems! I have fed the plant, so I suppose it's just lack of sun (for a change!).

That's odd, I'm sure our lone squash has been butternut squash colour pretty much since the beginning of time...

[sqweek01]

Congrats on your squashes!

Mine haven't even had flowers yet but are on their way! I may have planted them too late

I've got lots of lovely flowers on my pumpkin plants but no pumpkins yet

Is there a time when I should give up and try a bit earlier next year?

Regards

Clare

[jackie j]

OH made an unusual visit to the lottie yesterday and found another big butternut squash these are growing up the fence I had missed it. Still got a few coming on getting bigger.

[maximepaul]

Read this thread with interest as never tried to plant them...When Do you plant them?? how much room do they need to grow??

[kentvegplot]

Anyone know - will they ripen off the plant, or (like melons) do they have to stay on...?
I can't see us getting enough sun now to finish off the 5 on the plants.