How and When to Harvest Butternut Squash - 3 Tips

Butternut squash is so fun to harvest! Come along with me as I harvest mine and share 3 tips along the way so you know if yours is ready to pick or not.
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[@titchglover2601]

thanks

[@darlenesgardenandhome]

My squash did lousy this year. The plant stayed small and any flowers didn't pollinate. Oh well, I'll try again next year. Maybe in a different location.

[@Jackson-rf6rv]

Very helpful tips. Thank you so much! :)

[@susancross7177]

I have 3 small butternut, but lots of blooms. What can I do to encourage more fruit?

[@sco68dsl]

Did anyone catch the lizard up the fence @ 1:28

[@CaliKim29]

Hi Scott - it was fun to see him on the playback - guess he didn't like us disturbing his squash bed!

[@paulk5311]

i got lizards galore in my yard. my wife a bit scared of them for some odd reason.

[@paulkitching3597]

that lizard was funny

[@tammyhanson7843]

I saw it too🦋💜

[@magicsupamoggie]

Yes and I wasnt listening to what she was saying lol

[@dutchbarnclassicdinerracer9021]

Can you tell me where you purchased your trellis?

[@laceandwhisky]

Always cut the stalk as far away from the butternut squash as you can short cuts allow bacteria to get inside the squash. Longer stalks less risk

[@henrynichols7541]

KEEP YOUR FINGER NAILS OUT OF IT! now use it or throw it out.

[@CleanGreenNappyLLC]

I accidentally mislabeled some of my seedlings and have 8 butternut squash plants and I’ve never grown it before. We’re set for the upcoming year with plenty to share. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@NaturallyUnbridled]

I’ve watched a bunch of videos about harvesting squash and this is the BEST one! Thanks!

[@CaliKim29]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you found the squash harvesting video helpful! Squash can be a bit tricky to get just right, but once you’ve got the timing down, it’s so rewarding. Let me know if you have any other questions or need more tips for your fall garden! 😊 If you are finding my channel helpful - do subscribe and the thumbs up the videos that you watch! That would be appreciated. CaliKim

[@lnk3503]

Bake them till soft and slightly burned edges in the oven in halves unpeeled with the seeds scooped out and replaced with pineapple. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

[@KatherineRoseArt]

oh that sounds so good! butternut is my fave.... i cant wait for mine to be ready to harvest!!

[@fishhooks100]

Temp? Time? Thanks

[@adamx97]

I am amazed at the way the butternut squash sends roots out from its vines as it spreads, which should be absorbing nutrients and adding to the size of the fruit. I would think the trellis prevents the roots from finding the soil and reduces the fruit size.

[@carolyn9547]

The fruit are a beautiful size, I don't think that's an issue.

[@muddybear9178]

I grow mine on a trellis and the ones on the trellis get much bigger than those on the ground.

[@maryrushartist]

What happens to the squash with the fingernail sliced into them?

[@hopea3836]

I was thinking the same thing.. bacteria can build up or bugs have easy access 🤔 idk

[@VeganDoris]

Thank you! I love your presentation style: lots of information packed into a short video. Subscribing, and now I’m going to look at my squash stems!

[@peggyboehnlein8755]

OK, but, my vine is dead and the squash is not totally ripe, will it ripen

[@denisdunphy9046]

I've learnt great advice as am growing my first ever this season. Than you .

[@kristinanoall]

Thank you! I only have a very small butternut squash harvest so far-I’ll be lucky if I get four-and these tips kept me from clipping my nice, big one before it was ready. That would be tragic!!

[@walbiramurray5762]

Thanks so much, I have volunteer butternuts and had no idea on when to pick. I harvested my first 2 today because of your video, and they are perfect.

[@TheSimArchitect]

Since I am (partially) colorblind all look the same color to me. The nail test is an awesome idea! I'll totally do it. Thankfully I never had them split, maybe because it usually gets colder before they're even ready to harvest here in The Netherlands... Thanks for the video!

[@0rbs26x]

I have harvested two butternut squash that I grew from seeds from a squash last year. Two more fell of the vines, I have them in a window. I have four more still growing along with a few baby squash that dried up. Very happy with this years crop of butternut squash. I love to bake the squash & make Butternut squash soup, additionally Butternut squash & apple casserole is a family favorite.

[@KatherineRoseArt]

oh wow... so you prune a lot of the leaves off? maybe i need to go in and prune mine some more... its a veritable jungle =p Mine doesnt seem to wanna climb the trellis... i have to go in and weave it through

[@vineetagogia2050]

Love your tips . They were very helpful.

[@melissahensley3919]

Nice tips! I have grown squash this year and it’s the first food I have ever successfully grown and I am VERY impatient to get to harvest it.

[@margemargie9891]

Thanks for your pleasant, wonderful video! We harvested our first butternut squash yesterday from our container garden on the deck...I bought it in a dixie cup for $1 at a farmstand and took a chance and grew it...we used Miracle Grow Potting Soil and my husband drilled holes in the bottom of old rubbermaid containers and added a wheel base so we could move containers around as we pleased....the butternut tendrils loved the deck railing!...I cut it in half and baked it with a little water in the pan, doesn't take long...scooped out the squash, labelled and dated it and putting it in freezer for some fall or winter day!

[@robertcochran3415]

Thank you for the tips. My first year gardening so every bit of advice helps.

[@CaliKim29]

You are so welcome, enjoy your garden, Robert! Appreciate you growing along with me!

[@nyleiderflonzaga6825]

Got seeds from that kind of pumpkin and planted them. But when they have pumpkins already, they all sooooo big. Can't even put in the fridge without cutting them into pieces. 1 pumpkin is more than 20kilos. I was so shocked!!!

[@Jnch3verse16]

My backyard seems to be a natural for butternut squash.

[@garrybroadhurst107]

Hi , just a caution, I tried the fingernail peirce (not ready to harvest), within an hour I had several fruit fly over the fingernail, pierce so I would not recommend this if you have fruit/Mellon fly in your area. I am in a sub tropical Brisbane Australia, thankyou for your video

[@y0nd3r]

I wonder how she avoided the squash vine borer. I like the idea of trellising the plant vertically but the best place I have for that only gets about 4.5 hours direct sun before It would be protected from the West sun by the wall it is climbing. I wonder if that would be enough sun to produce anything.

[@dianelanderson5504]

How many plants do you have growing. I only planted 2, for my first go. I had a tiny squash come out but the rains came and it did not survive. Hoping rain stops soon😢 so I can see some reward.

[@douglaswoosley3965]

I JUST GREW MY FIRST SQUASH DAYS A GO.BUT ITS LOOKS LIKE A BIG ROUND WATERMELON IN LOOKS,BUT INSIDE ITS SQUASH.I TOOK THE SEEDS AND NOW PLANTING THEM FOR BIGGER SQUASH.

[@nathanellison594]

It says on google spaghetti squash only store 3 months usually. I have a small one left from last August that is still good!! Over a year later. So I can only imagine how long butternut squash can last

[@musicinfatuation]

Oh Lordy I should have listened to you earlier Shoot. Anyhow I recommend roasted butternut squash seeds shell and all delicious btw beautiful border collie

[@kennyjohansen8529]

Thanks for your for your helpful tips on when to harvest Butternut Squash. So, you can eat them as as soon as you harvest or should you let them sit for a few days?

[@wandapayne2866]

I grew butternut squash year and we're getting ready to hit our 32 degree weather they are the right color and they are hard skin but but at the top of the vine is not brown enough like you say to cut it I don't know what to do so today I am going to cut him anyway and see what happened

[@angiedhurup1184]

Hey I was wondering if I could grow the butternut squash in like a 25-gallon pot

[@margemargie9891]

yes! we re-purposed old rubbermaid containers, hubby drilled holes in bottom for drainage, used the Miracle Grow Potting Soil which the plants thrived on...I say go for it!

[@shale1757]

Please show how you built that trellis. Very nice!

[@CaliKim29]

Hello S Hale - glad you enjoyed it - it's so sturdy, and holds up to the wind without batting an eye! here is how we built it, kzbin.info/www/bejne/l37PiWhqgbl_oKc&list=PLH4z_9MDD00Lw781LJgYb5U_oVaF6Efww&index=3. Let me know if you try it - thanks for watching!

[@BeastlyBen007]

Is it possible to just grow butternut squash in containers and have them grow on the ground?

[@namansang]

Hello! That's really informative and does answer all my doubts related to the right time to harvest a butternut squash. If I may ask how many squash do you manage to get from one creeper on an average?? Mine are in a pot which may explain the small size of the squash that I am growing while I manage to get only one healthy squash from one plant. Is that normal??

[@MickeyButler-cw7iz]

How did you make your trellis and how many plants did you plant

[@cynthiacarr2093]

Tyfs! 😁❤👏🏾👏🏾I enjoy butternut squash as a chutney!😋 Peel skin, Dice 1 Squash and 2 Apples (honeycrisp or gala) Boil in apple juice 1 cup (adjust to how much squash😁 Add apples halfway through. When tender add honey ( little cinnamon to taste! Looks like Sweet Potatoes and people think its sweet potatoes Lol! When they taste it their eyes light up Oouu so delicious!

[@CaliKim29]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing this, Cynthia!!! Thank you!

[@janicejankauskas685]

My chickens luv this. i'd cut out the bad parts for the ones that she won't eat and give them to the hens

[@SK-lt1so]

Can you just leave them on the vine and pick them weeks/months later?

[@lillieknight]

When (how soon) can you eat them regardless of colors and the hardness of the skin

[@pamjones6465]

Great tips. Thank you. I had gotten in late to your live feed yesterday. I noticed how well your grape vines looked. What kind of grapes are you growing? I am growing concord grapes. Had an amazing harvest this year. Nice harvest on the butternut squash. Will produce some nice meals. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day. :)

[@mrsclfb9697]

Thank you for the tips. I have a big volunteer vine taking over a big section of my back yard. It came from seeds in the compost. There are at least 4 nice squash ready or almost ready and more coming on. Since this was the first time I've grown it, I wasn't sure about when to harvest. I think we will be having some for lunch today. Blessings...

[@sabinecollins3307]

If you have bad leaves on your butternut vines do you cut them off?

[@ColinForBooks]

very helpful thanks! I was thinking that I was supposed to leave them till first frost? (Canada)

[@filzaahmedi1011]

Hi Kim, thanks for this informative video. Under which conditions of temperature does the butternut squash plant grow best? I plan to grow them in India and wondering if Indian winters are good for growing.

[@123noelle123]

Hi! Do you have another video that shows where you actually plant the squash? I mean at what part of the base of the trellis are the plants? (Inside or outside) I planted squash for the first time this year. I built a trellis and ended up with about 16 squash, but i think the actual plant placement could've been better. Thanks 😊

[@CaliKim29]

Yes, try How to Grow Squash Vertically - Bigger Harvest, Less Space. Let me know! You can search ALL of my videos by whatever you type in...by clicking on my photo to the left... clicking on the search bar (searches only my videos) and type in whatever you choose. CK

[@pnolin79]

My first year planting them and I have probably about 50 out there from just 8 seeds. Going out tomorrow to see what is ready to be harvested.

[@CaliKim29]

Sounds great! Let us know how it goes! Great job!

[@FifthKnowledge]

I didn't know they could split! But I live in NW where it's cool and the season is short. Have a great crop of squash this year!

[@CaliKim29]

Thanks, you too!

[@KT-jd8bb]

Thank you!!! :)

[@CaliKim29]

No problem 😊

[@garden2cook21]

Great harvest! I haven't had much luck with butternut squash, but you inspire me to keep trying!

[@Salharmonic1]

Do you wash them? How do you cure them? Thanks

[@mahfuzahmed8275]

Is it possible to harvest in Bangladesh??

[@dmix2263]

I made a soup a few years ago it was wonderful..

[@dawngermano2832]

Any ideas as to why my butternut squash are so tiny?

[@amandamcclure5197]

How many butternut plants are there?

[@jazandriz]

Is there an advantage to harvesting earlier rather than later? Does it trigger more fruit formation? Or should I just leave until the frost?

[@nelsontan8328]

Hi do we have to self pollinate it all the times

[@pickflowers]

The lizard made an appearance 🦎🦎🦎

[@joeymurray563]

Very good explanation good video

[@maryhall7288]

My buttenut squash turned Iran’s not tan. Started dark green then orange ??

[@CaliKim29]

It sounds like your butternut squash didn’t follow the typical color pattern, which could be due to a few reasons. Normally, butternut squash starts green and ripens to a tan color, but if yours turned orange, it could be a sign of cross-pollination with another type of squash or pumpkin. This can happen if you're growing multiple varieties nearby. Another possibility is that the squash is overripe. Sometimes, overripe butternut squash can develop an orange tint, especially if it's left on the vine too long. Environmental factors like temperature fluctuations or nutrient imbalances could also cause color changes. If your plants have experienced stress (like inconsistent watering or extreme temperatures), that might have impacted the fruit's development. If you are finding my channel helpful - do subscribe and the thumbs up the videos that you watch! That would be appreciated!!! CK

[@BenjasUberHobby]

No squash for me :) I was mostly right on the ones that should have been picked. I missed the green strips though. I would have ended up picking those based on the other 2 criteria. With the 3 together the one on the right I would have picked that one. But when you show the big green stripe I see why you left it :) Thanks for sharing :)

[@CaliKim29]

Hello Benja - Glad you enjoyed the harvest tips - hope you get to grow squash next year. Butternut is so yummy! Thanks for watching!

[@lauraalbaladejo3780]

I never see that crack that before.

[@terrihummingbird1565]

Thanks for the information, I'm growing butternut squash for the 1st time. But mine is not that big, so I'm wondering if it will get that big

[@mikeclaverie9240]

LIZARD ON THE FENCE 1:32

[@TerrieWilliamson]

Your presentation showed me exactly what I need to know! I have had the pleasure of growing "volunteer" butternut squash for the past 3 years. Until now, I just guessed as to when they are ready. Now I know and I am going to borrow your trellis idea! Oh, how do I get them to come up voluntarily? Instead of putting the bad squash in my compost, I put it in the garden where I want it to grow, mulch it in and let nature do the rest.

[@Qrayon]

I'm growing butternut squash, plus kabocha, delicata, and acorn squashes, but what if I don't have a trellis? Do I need a trellis for my squashes to grow well and ripen?

[@amynguyen7]

I have a mystery squash growing in my garden. It looks like butternut but it's still young and green so I'm not sure what I'm going to get. It's the end of August and only one of them is over 6 inches long. The rest are still babies. Are they going to make it? Do they have time to mature/ripen? Thanks.

[@hjkhjk3829]

How many vines is that

[@carolmartin2503]

We're in the NE mountains and I've never had a squash split! Usually we get 25 to 35 nice yummy squash with half of them quite large. It's late Sept., about 45* at night so I just might harvest this week. Yes ....... they're so easy to keep over the winter ~ almost anywhere. We do well with potatoes also. Both kinds. Happy harvesting!

[@darnellnepia1629]

The trellis is galvanized concrete mesh for steel re-enforcing concrete paths or driveways. I work on metric, so a sheet of it will be 1200mmx2400mm I think either 100mm2 holes or 125mm2. Imperial will be feet inches for the sheet/pack size. Your local building supply co will be able to advise. There are a few variations. Thickness or gauge etc. Just ask. Great idea though. Its inexpensive and ready to go

[@daniellegodfrey2247]

Hi! My husband picked 2 that are green...!!! Will they ripen on the counter? Will they be eatable? Thank you!

[@rhydyard]

good info .. thanks

[@carmensimpson7428]

What variety of butternut squash did you plant? Mine never vined. It grew more like summer squash.

[@mariabendall2141]

The first time I grew a butternut squash was this year. Unfortunately I found i had water damage on some of them. How do I prevent that? Can I cut it now even though its not mature? If I do, should I wait till it become mature by exposing it to the sun?

[@drj5247]

First time growing Butternut for me. Two short rows and the vines took over a large area. I have about 50 large and more smaller Butternut. All large are tan and hard but stems are still green and some green striping remains. I've read about curing for storage and that leaving a longer stem helps in the preservation. I've done some watering, as it's been very dry which has probably helped to prevent ground contact damage. Amazingly they all seem to have the typical bell shape and so far, no splits. My plan is to dry store some, cook and freeze some, give a few to family and eat some fresh baked with brown sugar and butter... yum yum !

[@CliffWarren]

What is that little critter on your fence at 1:32? Looks like a lizard. If it were a mouse, you have more work to do! ;)

[@JessiesFamily]

Yay that was so nice to watch because I am a newbie to gardening. Everything is Organic and I am growing Butternut Squash for the first time, Cucumbers, Watermelons, Cantaloupe, Squash, Tomatoes, oh the list goes on...... 🥰💖💞

[@Erekai]

I'm grateful for this video! It was really simple to understand and has given me some new ideas for growing my squash. I had no idea when to pick

[@debbirosa]

I wonder how many plants you grew? You had a ton of squash! My first plant just gave me 1 beautiful squash! What’s the secret to getting more on a single plant?

[@اشرفغالي-ح3ض]

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@argentorangeok6224]

Great video! This and cushaw pumpkin are about the only winter squash we can grow here because of vine borers (curse them all and their offspring). If you pick them slightly before they're ready, will they go ahead and ripen up a bit more?

[@euniceomollo7688]

Thanks. I harvested my butter nut when not ready like yours. What can l do with then? Should l throw them or eat.

[@tazinfatima9639]

After buying this veg how can I store so tht it's became hard n can be crafted.plz let me know

[@lianalarsen]

Haha there was a critter climbing up the fence!

[@CaliKim29]

ha, ha, Liana - we saw that when we watched it back. Mr. Lizard did not like me disturbing his butternut squash bed! Thanks for watching!

[@hopea3836]

@@CaliKim29😆 You should have put Starring Mr. Lizard 🦎 loved it.

[@bycfr08]

First time planting this year, I have Butternut Baby Squash. Might harvest 3 today after watching this video. Thanks Kim!

[@AnimeShinigami13]

i have a strange cultivar that looks kind of like a pumpkin but with delicata coloring. I have three of them on the vine. I think they're from the chinese family up the street from the nearby community garden. i'm having trouble telling if its ripe. Its leaves are broader than my head and its threatening to crush a ton of tomatillo plants and some perennial flowers and collards growing at its base. its ripping down my iron arch trellis, not that big mind you but i had it sunk decently into the soil and its survived rats digging at its base and is surviving some kind of mildew turning its leaves white.

[@kimketchabaw]

Butternut squash is my favourite. I did grow some this year, but they are not quite ripe yet. I love them roasted to eat with a meal and I also use them for pumpkin pie. Butternut squash instead of pumpkin. My kids and grandkids say they make better pumpkin pies. Thanks for the tips on when to harvest!

[@jagannathniranjan2896]

Very good

[@earlybird541]

Great video, this is our first year doing butternut squash. Mine are just like the one that was really large that you picked with just a hint of green, but two of them have started to get soft spots on the bottom of the plant but the furthest away from the ground. I cut it open and the bottom was super yellow but the top where the stem is at is still a little white. It seems like they were almost ready, but i'm not sure if it is rotting. Any advice?

[@LaCeiba1924]

Thank you for a simple straight forward video!!

[@jerryharrell1231]

Perfect explanation of harvesting Butternut squash. Thanks a lot !

[@phillmaryhodges8091]

Really good guidance for me and my first growth of butternut squash, a volunteer crop from seeds thrown on the soil in my raised garden, with seeds from store-bought squash.

[@miguelguardado2924]

Hi

[@fifthdimension326]

If there are bugs in the split, will you still put in the compost pile? Do you cut bugs off it before composting?

[@deba417]

Very helpful. Besides learning when the butternut squash is ready to harvest i learned it can be roasted whole! I will now look online for what temperature to bake it at and recipes

[@indrajasodrabhadaiaziz1248]

WoW, learned something new 👍🏽👍🏽