Green butternut squash

[Cabagepicker]

Not sure when to pick these, they are the right size but not Orange. Do I cut back the foliage to let the sun in or pick them and let them change colour on the windowsill?

Any advice appreciated!

[Cabagepicker]

[Bugloss2009]

leave them on the plant for as long as possible. Some of mine are quite behind this year. If the leaves look healthy, i'd leave them on - but you might want to wait for a second opinion. I just think that damaging the plant may make it more prone to disease

[goodlife]

Yes...same advise from me too...leave it be..let your squash to mature fully...as your foliage is starting naturally die down..then cut your squash off..cure it couple of weeks away from the weather..and the true colour should start come out ;) All mine are still sort of greenish/yellowish colour too.
Oh..do not expect you butternut to turn pumpkin orange..the skin is always a bit wishy/washy orangey ::)..the ripe flesh will be darker orange  ;D

[picman]

I've grown 'Barbara' summer squash this year , do i treat 'her' the same pls ?

[goodlife]

Umm...are you sure about it being summer squash? I googled to check your variety and only found it as winter squash... ??? if it is winter one..yes same..
if summer..well those you normally pick while still small/immature, often within few days of flowering, like you would with courgette...

[Bugloss2009]

What goodlife says

last year my squashes had a real burst of activity about now with the weather, and i'm hoping for the same now. Late summer for squashes is a race against time with mildew and suchlike, but they're worth the effort

[lewic]

Last year I think I left mine until end September/October. Only picked them when the leaves had died right down. Mine are still green-ish colour and the leaves havent died down, so I think you have plenty of time.

[picman]

Your right  about Barbara , got it in my head she was a summer squash. thanks, i'll leave for a bit  longer. ( She has striped green skin)

[GrannieAnnie]

It is good to leave butternuts til the stem turns dry and brown if at all possible.
Not sure if that is the recommendation if forecast says many wet weather days though.

[goodlife]

Ohh..I've got all faith for UK fair weather fairies... ;D...they'll be sun bathing most of the September..blowing kisses for our squashes.. ;D
I'm leaving mine on ground for untill end of month at least...unless the fairies are planning to do some swimming during their autumn holidays ::)

[shirlton]

Last year a couple of mine were still green striped but the changed colour when left on the windowsill for a while

[kypfer]

Let's hope we have a long warm autumn ... my Butternut sulked all summer, barely managing a few leaves, it nearly got dug up 'cept I didn't need the space, then all of a sudden wooosh, it's all over the place and it's got two fruit set with potentially more on the way (the female flower buds are there)  :)

[GrannieAnnie]

Let's hope we have a long warm autumn ... my Butternut sulked all summer, barely managing a few leaves, it nearly got dug up 'cept I didn't need the space, then all of a sudden wooosh, it's all over the place and it's got two fruit set with potentially more on the way (the female flower buds are there)  :)

Yes, "a sudden whooosh" describes it well.

[tricia]

I transplanted a butternut because it wasn't doing well in a north-facing space. It took a couple of weeks but eventually grew away and now has three fruit growing nicely. To give them strength I've been removing all new embryo fruit as they appear. Together with all the other squashes I have, two or three butternuts are more than enough for the winter for my one person household!

Tricia