Butternut squash is a fan favorite in our home, and many home gardeners appreciate it deep into the winter. Its rich, nutty flavor and long storage life make it a unique ingredient, and a worthwhile plant to foster in your vegetable garden.
As the weather cools and fall approaches, you might start wondering how long the squash can be left on the plant, especially as temperatures dip overnight. Understanding what time is best for picking butternut squash will make it easier to get the most out of your crop, especially as the growing season winds down.
Understanding the Growth Cycle
Butternut squash is a winter squash variety, meaning it’s planted in the summer and harvested in the fall. Unlike summer squash like zucchini which is picked young and tender, butternut squash needs to fully mature on the vine for the best flavor and to maximize its storage potential. The average growing period for butternut squash is 100-120 days to maturity, but this timeline can vary depending on your local climate and growing conditions; in some areas, you might have immature squash on the vine for as long as six months.
As long as you're experiencing warmer temperatures, all varieties of winter squash will continue to grow and ripen, but as the danger of frost approaches, the vines die off and deteriorate. Once this happens, there's no sense in keeping the squash on the vine.
Signs That Butternut Squash Is Ready for Harvest
Knowing when your butternut squash is fully ripened helps to guarantee the best texture and flavor:
- Color Change: Immature butternut squash is light green but will gradually turn a deep tan or beige as the fruit ripens. The rind should be a uniform color before harvesting, with no green patches. A fully mature squash will have a rich, creamy hue and a matte, not glossy, appearance.
- Hard Skin: The rind of butternut squash should be thick and hard. Unlike a summer squash or zucchini, the butternut squash's hard skin will allow it to be stored through the winter months.
- Dying Vines and Leaves: As fall progresses, the leaves and vines of the plant will begin to yellow and die back. This is a natural part of the squash’s life cycle and a sign that the fruit is reaching full maturity. Once the vines have withered, use sharp pruning shears to remove the squash from the vine squash should be harvested, as it will no longer be growing.
- Time Since Planting: If you’ve tracked your planting date, you can estimate when your squash should be ready. After about 3-6 months, your butternut squash will likely be close to full maturity. Checking for the color and skin hardness will help confirm the timing.
Can You Leave Butternut Squash on the Vine Longer?
Many home gardeners wonder if leaving butternut squash on the vine for extra time will improve its ripeness or flavor. Will it sweeten, like grapes? Or will it turn to mush, like tomatoes? While it'll continue to harden and ripen as long as the vines are healthy and the weather remains warm, it’s important to watch for cold temperatures. While they won't immediately turn to mush, a heavy frost can be damaging to a winter squash and reduce its storage potential.
If the weather is mild and no frost is in the forecast, leaving butternut squash on the vine for a little longer can be beneficial. The skin will continue to toughen, improving its storage potential. However, once you notice the vines dying back, it’s a sign that the plant is no longer providing nutrients to the squash, so it’s best to harvest soon after.
Protecting Butternut Squash from Frost
In many regions, the first frost hits in late fall, so it’s important to harvest your butternut squash before that happens. Frost can damage the squash, leading to soft, dark spots that reduce its storage life. If you’re expecting a light frost and want to leave your squash on the vine a bit longer, consider covering the plants with a row cover or a lightweight cloth to protect them overnight. This can give you a few extra days to allow the squash to fully ripen.
For gardeners in frost-free regions, butternut squash can remain on the vine longer without the risk of frost damage. However, cooler fall temperatures will still slow the ripening process, so it’s important to keep an eye on the squash’s maturity.
Best Practices for Harvesting Ripe Butternut Squash
When it’s time to harvest, use garden shears to cut the squash from the vine, leaving about 1-2 inches of stem attached. This stem helps prevent rot and prolongs the storage time of the squash. Avoid twisting or pulling the squash off the vine, as this can damage the fruit and lead to a shorter shelf life.
After harvesting, it’s a good idea to pursue the curing process before storing it The curing step allows the skin to harden further, which helps the squash last through the winter. To cure butternut squash, place them in a single layer in a warm, dry spot (around 80-85°F) for 1-2 weeks. After curing, store the squash in a cool, dry location (like a cool basement) where your entire harvest can keep for several months.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While growing butternut squash in the fall, gardeners often make a few common mistakes that can affect the quality of the harvest.
- Harvesting Too Early: Picking butternut squash before it’s fully mature will result in a less flavorful squash with a shorter storage life. Be patient and wait until the skin is hard and the color has fully developed. Unripe butternut squash can still have dull green lines on the skin in late summer.
- Leaving Squash Out After Frost: Even a light frost can damage the squash, leading to soft spots that rot during storage. Always harvest your butternut squash before the first frost unless you can protect the plants. Brown spots are a sign that your squash might already have been on the vine too long.
- Overwatering Late in the Season: As the season cools down, reduce your watering. Overwatering in cooler temperatures can lead to root rot and affect the ripening of the squash.
FAQ
For how many months can I store cured butternut squash?
Butternut squash, when properly cured and stored in a cool, dry place, can last for 2 to 6 months. Squash stored at temperatures between 50-55°F with good air circulation will stay fresh the longest.
Will the seeds still be okay to harvest when I plan to eat the squash during the winter?
Yes, the seeds inside butternut squash will still be viable for harvesting even after months of storage. When you're ready to eat the squash, scoop out the seeds, rinse, and dry them. You can save these seeds for planting in the next growing season, as long as they are from an heirloom or open-pollinated variety (not hybrid).
