butternut: ripe? harvesting?

[kt6382]

My butternut squashes seem tobe doing so much better this year than last!
Last year I had quite a lot of fruit but none of them grew very big and they didn;t seem to ripen.
This year they have spread all over the place and the fruit are growing well, they seem ot be loads of them for just two plants!!
Should I somehow raise them above their leaves so that they actually see the sunshine in order to ripen? or are they fine on their own as obviously thats how they grow naturally?!
Also last year I had to pick them due to a frost setting in but they went all squishy and then mouldy. How can I avoid this this year? (although I hope to leave them on the plant as long as possible)

[PAULW]

I was always under the assumption that when they are nearly ready the neck of the stem drys out, this is how you tell they are ready to pick, therefore the squash is not being fed by the plant so leaving the squash on the plant as long as possible serves no purpose, storing wash the sqash in a mild bleach solution this kills off the nasties that can start the rotting process.

[kt6382]

Thanks, I'll go and inspect the stalks now! Although I'm guessing they won;'t be ready for quite a while yet... I'm pretty new to all this, are butternuts an autumn harvest?

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I am envious of you kt. I only have 2 of any note! I am keen to know when they are ready, one looks almost right to me know and other does not. Did not know about the bleach thing PaulW.