Question About Butternut Squash That Was Started Too Late

Question

Hi, I was playing with the seeds of a store-bought butternut squash around late June in upstate New York. I now realize that I should have started this experiment sometime in April. As luck would have it, they germinated (;>). It is now late September and I am getting some nice, fledgling butternut squash. I am wondering how I can ensure that they grow to maturity now that temps are dropping here. Frost has not occurred yet, but daytime temps are generally not going above 60 degrees with rare days in the low 70s. More importantly, nighttime temps are in the 50s with some rare excursions into the upper 40s. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You can cover them with frost blankets or regular blankets when frost threatens. If they are close to being ready to harvest, you can go ahead and pick them before a frost. They will ripen off the vine. Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/butternut-squash-harvest.htm

https://www.uvm.edu/news/story/tips-harvesting-pumpkins-and-winter-squash

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htm