With its dense, sweet, and slightly nutty flesh, it is one of the most versatilewinter squashes.
Once you’re free to check all the boxes, you dont have to harvest it right away.
Another indicator is dull and not glossy or shiny skin.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Green vines indicate that the butternut squash needs more time.
The stem should be hard and dry and of uniform tan color.
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In the process, any scratches or cuts are being sealed.
This process is called curing.
A screened-in porch, garage, or shed is ideal.
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Unripe butternut squash has a hard texture and a bland taste because the sugars havent fully developed.
The vines and leaves of butternut squash are sensitive to frost.
In a hard frost, the fruit suffers frost damage as well and the skin will become squishy.
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If there is frost in the forecast and your butternut squash is ready to harvest, pick it promptly.
Remove the covers promptly the next morning as soon as the temperatures rise.
Pumpkin and Winter Squash Harvest and Storage.
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University of Massachusetts Amherst.
