Butternut squash dying back

[Ricardo]

Help! Finally, I'm just getting fruit on my butternut squash (Winter Waltham) and the fruit is about 5cm long, quite a few of 'em. But - the foliage is starting to discolour abnd loks to be dying back as if the plants are finished for the season. I don't know if the timing is about right for the fruiting as I've never grown them before, and I've increased the watering to help swell the fruit, 'cos I remember reading somewhere that they are thirsty blighters. Have I overdone it with the water? I've been feeding twice a week with tomato feed also. I'm in Surrey btw.
Any view gratefully recieved.

[taff]

it is the time of year when they start dying back. You may have to start them earlier next year..

[Florence Fennel]

Doubt you'll get any fruit to mature now Ricardo. As Taff says, you need to start earlier next year.

[Ricardo]

Thanks everybody - that's really disappointing. I followed what they said on the seeds to the letter, even covering with cloches to start with. So much for the old saying "If all else fails - read the instructions" . Grrr.
Oh well, there's always next year.

[Florence Fennel]

Don't be discouraged Ricardo. Last year I had five beautiful huge pumpkins for the children to carve. Because of my success I planted more and grew in exactly the same circumstances. Result? I have a smallish blue one and a smallish yellow one and all the others failed. There's always next year!