Harvesting Squash

Question

How do you know when squash are ready to be harvested? The leaves on the vines of our buttercup squash are starting to wilt. Should we cut the squash off yet?

Answer 1

Here is an article about harvesting squash: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/when-to-harvest-squash-best-time-to-pick-winter-or-summer-squash.htm

You may have a vine borer on the buttercup squash: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/squash-pests-identifying-and-preventing-squash-vine-borer.htm

If you think this may be the case, you can leave the fruit on until they are ripe or right before the vine dies. The vine borer will not hurt the fruit and they will ripen better on the vine than off. But just in case you must harvest before they are fully ripe, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm