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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    August 24, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You may be able to pick the green fruit and ripen them off the vine when the frost comes. This article has information on that:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm

    You may also want to consider building hoop houses over the squash to extend your season a bit more.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    September 7, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    This article will help you:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    September 11, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    This sometimes depends on the individual gardener. For instance, some prefer to wait for the leaves to die. However, if you wait too long, the squash will lose its flavor. Many people wait until the stems turn brown and begin splitting. Generally, once the 'greenish stripes' start turning orange or brown, the squash is ready for harvesting. You really shouldn't wait until the fruit is fully grown to harvest, as it will be much more tender and sweet at an earlier stage. Some people also prefer to harvest just after the first frost. I would do so right before.

    These articles can help:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/when-to-harvest-squash-best-time-to-pick-winter-or-summer-squash.htm
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    September 12, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    This sometimes depends on the individual gardener. Many people wait until the stems turn brown and begin splitting. We would not recommend waiting until the stem is brown necessarily. Generally, once the squash is the correct color for its type ('greenish stripes' start turning orange or brown), feels heavy for its size and sounds somewhat hollow when thumped, then it is ready to be harvested. You really shouldn't wait until the fruit is fully grown to harvest, as it will be much more tender and sweet at an earlier stage. Some people also prefer to harvest just after the first frost. I would do so right before.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    September 14, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    This sometimes depends on the individual gardener; however, it is not necessary to wait for the leaves to die. In fact, if you wait too long the squash will lose its flavor. Many people do wait until the stems turn brown and begin splitting. Generally, once the 'greenish stripes' start turning orange or brown, the squash is ready for harvesting. You really shouldn't wait until the fruit is fully grown to harvest, as it will be much more tender and sweet at an earlier stage. Some people also prefer to harvest just after the first frost. I would do so right before.

    As for freezing, you can slice it or dice it, blanch it and then bag it. Stick it in the freezer and use when you're ready.

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  • Answered by
    rosepetal on
    September 17, 2011
    A.

    I just harvested by butternut squash, I did not wait until leaves died back, they were small to med. size, the taste is great..I agree withNikki to harvest soon. They are delicious now. I froze my squash last year, tasted great.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    October 2, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It is best to leave the squash on the vine as long as possible to allow it to mature. You can pick it earlier and finish it off, but the flavor will never be as good.

    The squash fruit can take a light frost, so try to leave them on the vine until after the first light frost.

    After that, if you still need to ripen the squash, this article will help:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm

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