Harvesting Squashes

[Glaurung]

My butternut plants seemed to die back, so I harvested the squashes last week. The crown prince plants on the other hand are still in leaf. How much longer should I leave them? When do you lot harvest your squashes?

[piskieinboots]

I have harvested my Crown Princes' (there's a Romeo and Juliet moment there surely!) because they looked good enough for my needs and I wanted them out of the way

[Pies]

Im waiting until frostis forcast then up they come ready or not

[bluemoon]

I try and leave mine until the first frosts. Usually as long as the skin is the right colour for the type of squash you are growing then they're O.K. to eat. The main reason for leaving them as long as possible is for the skin to ripen thoroughly so that they keep better. We ate one of our 'Potimarrons' at the weekend, it was definitely ready to eat, but I'm leaving the rest until at least the end of October. Our butternuts aren't even close to ready yet.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm picking my pumpkins as I want them (I got a big Bonbon today) but the rest I am leaving to cure in the sunshine.
They'll come inside in about a month.

[Glaurung]

OK thanks, consensus is to leave until first frost then. Thanks.

[Lovage]

OK thanks, consensus is to leave until first frost then. Thanks.

I agree if plant is still green, however if plant has died back the fruit won't grow any more at all, so might as well harvest now

Whenever you harvest, leave the stalk as long as possible and never pick up by the stalk ( however tempting ) if it breaks off rot usually starts
When picked its best to leave in the sun for a week to help cure the skin then store in a cool frost-free place. I have had many squash keep til Easter and a few til suash came again

[Alison]

Another vote for until the first frosts although I accidently damaged the stem of one at the weekend so brought it home to eat one night this week

[jogette]

Ready or not, I'm harvesting my bns tomorrow before anymore are 'harvested' by others.
I was away on holiday for a week and came back to hear from my lottie partner that four of them had disappeared.
I just hope that no others will have been taken. I was so proud of them....well you know what they say about pride and a fall.

[squashlover]

Hello all, I'm brand new and registered just to thank everyone for their posts on this topic! I've got some fantastic looking Uchichis this year as well as one (green) pumpkin and several small butternuts which I'm not convinced will mature. I'm going on holiday for 10 days and was undecided about whether to harvest before I go or not - first frost may or may not happen while I'm away! The consensus seems to be that I can harvest the ones which look ready in any case and I'll fleece up the others and hope they survive.

Many thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

Ready or not, I'm harvesting my bns tomorrow before anymore are 'harvested' by others.

yes, I'm more worried about theft than frost. I brought home all my biggest BNs today (about 5, q.pleased with that) and a dozen Golden Nuggets.

The foliage had died back anyway.
The Crown Princes are still full of green leaf, so they can stay for a while.

[SlugLobber]

I harvested mine yesterday. 5 from one plant, including the monster one I picked last week. They weren't growing anymore, so I decided to clear the space for the next crop (probably onions). They're precariously perched on posts, hardening off, before Thursday, when they'll come in, as the F word is forecast!

[winnipeg50]

Squash harvest

Just about to ask the same question, i have been away for 4 weeks, i can see my pumpkins from my window, (i have an allotment plot) very nervous about going on. I know one pumpkin is huge (i have never grown them before). It is going to the local Hospice so people can guess the weight and raise money for them, then the cook will make some nice soup, and pumpkin pies, both a signature dish of hers i believe, she come from the carribean, (have i spelt that right) LOL

[Glaurung]

I harvested mine...

First attempt at attaching a picture - hope it works.

[Two_Sheds]

whoppers, well done. mine are still in full leaf