How to Tell if Butternut Squash is Ready to Harvest! Simple Tips to Help You

[@lizchattin7016]

That's precisley the info I was after. I appreciated the clear shots of how brown/dry the stem should be before harvesting them. Good video!

[@MsCherokee70]

Same information I was looking for too. I had a feeling she would have the right answers. 😎👍🏼

[@laurad7439]

First time growing butternut squash. Last year they kept yellowing and dying (very small). Figured out my mistake and now I needed to know when to harvest. Perfect video. Thank you!

[@jimthompson5272]

Thanks. Great info.

[@vbfit1247]

Thanks so much for your video showing all the details. We let one “volunteer “ grow in our garden and it is giving us 6! This was my first year growing butternuts. Next year I’ll put them out where they can roam freely or climb. It too came from the compost pile! Our plague of grasshoppers have not bothered the vine in the least!

[@tamigabrielson8913]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@cjboac9864]

Leaving them to harden is best to leave in the sun not over one week, then on a covered porch out of the sun for one full week! They harden well & better for longer storage! Wiping them down with apple cider or white vinegar using a cloth or paper towel helps keep bacteria off. Then store in dry area, pantry, garage or shed. Laying them on a bed of Rice straw really helps too! Helps with moisture problems! They’ll last for many months! 👍❣️

[@cindys.w.8566]

Its called curing and its best to do so 1 month in a cool dry place with air flow. Cutting the stem long also helps keep all things you don't want to enter the, out.

[@johnreginahenderson7032]

Awesome info! Thank you!😊Regina

[@LWeideman1]

Thanks! I’m standing in my squash patch trying to decide what is ready. Now I know.

[@jennibradley435]

Just came across this video and it is SO helpful! This is the first year I have grown butternut squash and my husband and I have been debating whether or not its time to pick my one big one yet. From your video i have learned it is not time and to watch my stem ( everything else looks ready to go). Thank you!

[@daveandellenbartlett8725]

Thank you Sarah! Grew butternut for the first time this year and there you are 6 years ago teaching me how and when to harvest it. 😊

[@thomasjefferson7868]

I’m glad I saw your video so I don’t waste all of my hard work by guessing!!

[@CupcakeBaker1982]

Needed this right now. I was just about to harvest but thought I’d double check. Thanks to you I’m going to leave it until the stems get dryer. Thank you xxx

[@dnkjb]

This morning we were talking about when to pick the Butternut Squash, so I googled it and of course a Living Traditions video came up. Exactly the information we needed. Thank you Sarah!

[@angiegreen6366]

When the stem withers from the butternut they are ready to harvest. If you pick it too soon it tends to be watery and not as sweet at least here in New Zealand xx

[@KRay-fb2vf]

Now I understand what to look for, thank you very much. We pressure can butternut squash.

[@marysewell9200]

You can't go wrong with planting butternut, they are soooooo yummy 😋

[@darleneblock7575]

Thank you, this is our first year for growing these and did not know what to do ! Appreciate your knowledge.

[@angiegreen6366]

I forgot to say when you cut the stems dip the end in wax to act as a barrier against microbes🤪

[@olyak7174]

Exactly what I was looking for. THANKS!

[@phyllispeltier1911]

I love butternut squash soup

[@iartistdotme]

Love these squash but only just discovered that the seeds were the best part! While I adore the flavor of baked squash, now I bake the seeds next to them in the oven. I remove the innards, pull the seeds from the strings (way easier than pumpkins) and wash them a little. Dry them, toss them in a little bit of butter, cook until done and add salt. They are so much less fibrous than pumpkin and taste far better. I hate that all these years I've been throwing them away as waste or compost. They are really good roasted, candied and sprinkled on top of butternut soup.

[@erinbuyense5821]

I throw my seeds out to get more squash lol. 1 in the store makes 20 in the garden.

[@iartistdotme]

@@erinbuyense5821 I sure agree - I get several free ones each year from the compost bile. LOLThis year my compost gave me three acorn, two butternut, and one pumpkin. What a bargain! I do save seeds from my butternut and acorn for planting in the garden but love eating them so much, also.

[@tanyapineda7212]

Are they ok to eat before they are ripe?

[@iartistdotme]

@@tanyapineda7212 I never thought about it before and don't know. I have one sitting on my counter that was not quite ready but the squirrels were getting to it. I will cook it then try it - if it's 'off' then I'll put it back in the compost to try again. I have a feeling it will just be bitter but will find out tomorrow night. (Update) I read in a comment below that they will continue to ripen and also that they are fine to eat - more like a summer squash and they won't store well. See the comments below for more info.

[@tabilittlefield1326]

I am going to try that!

[@NatashaCraig92]

Very thorough and informative! I've watched other videos but still had my doubts because my squash's stems are part brown and green. You cleared up any doubts I had. Thank you!

[@peggyboehnlein8755]

If the vine is dead will the squash continue to ripen or should I cut it off

[@dooseyboy]

We had a butternut spring up and take over a corner of our garden, so far I've got 3 pumpkins that I can see and loved your video, very helpful, can't wait to harvest hopefully before winter sets in here in Australia 2020

[@grace2garden403]

Thank you for showing the difference in the vines.

[@davidcorbett2195]

Excellent, needed this. First year with Butternuts (Waltham), I really don't have a cool long term storage place, so will have to figure out how to freeze, dehydrate, can or.. guess I can just gorge on gourds.. err. squash..

[@swianecki]

Never knew about waiting for the stems to dry. Interesting.

[@jtharp9265]

Hi , I've been watching ur videos , I started re-gardening this past March , after we suffered a tragic loss , our youngest & only Daughter April ann Ulrich at age 19 from a criminal, I've found it to be very therapeutic to help me & we use to garden every year , Something has gotten into my garden & ate all my baby butternut squash & pie pumpkins , but not my zucchini that were big , I have 1 butternut squash left & put a steel colander over it nightly , Until this see through cover arrives , I used neem oil , also sprinkled organic snail & slug stuff , I don't see mice etc. What could I do to try & save it ? Somehow it got under the colander & the stem is half chewed will it survive? Also I have New baby pumpkins coming , I haven't went out yet ,I pray they r still there . God bless you ...at least I know now I can't just bring it in & put in a brown paper bag ... Thank u .Josette Tharp Montgomery County, Texas 🙏🏻

[@denisemartinez6456]

I was wondering when to know. I'm excited ours are coming in like crazy as is all our other squashes. ty great video and one much appreciated.

[@Ang-e-la]

Do I need to cure the squash if I know I'm going to bake them a couple days after picking them? Also, Thank you for making this video. I learned alit from it.

[@daniellesnyder1244]

Thank you for the great info, I was harvesting mine too soon! 🤦🏼‍♀️😩

[@TheAAnne123]

THANK YOU! I’m guessing that spaghetti squash follows a similar pattern letting you know when to pick it, eh??

[@jacquelinedechabert-rios6960]

Great video with good info. Thanks for the help.. harvesting some myself and now realize I picked a few to soon.

[@kristie4890]

Thank you so much for making this video! I LOVE butternut squash! For the taste and how easy they are to bake but also because they are so easy to store, just pick, cure and store. I now know exactly when to harvest them. Blessings to you all!

[@YankeesOutdoorAdventures]

Another excellent video👍 awesome information! keep up the great work😁

[@UmMumin]

I was harvesting a squash and the stem accidentally snapped off...should I still let it harden in the sun a week or should we eat it soon?

[@kingjames4886]

you harvest any winter squash either when it turns it's "ripe color" or when the stem starts to crack... or before the frost kills them, they'll continue to ripen in storage. what do you have piled all over your squash? that's like a squash tower! if you want food security grow acorn squash though, they're harvested earlier so you get larger yields and more confidence that you'll get something in a bad season.

[@iartistdotme]

I didn't know they would ripen after being picked but my 'compost gift' was nibbled on by a squirrel and I got it before they broke into the insides. But have noticed that it deepened in color since I picked it and am thrilled since I didn't expect it making it even sweeter. I'll keep letting it darken now, thanks!

[@kingjames4886]

@@iartistdotme if the skin isn't intact it won't keep well unfortunately. should use it before it starts to rot.

[@przybyla420]

Immature ones are good too, just more like a summer squash flavor-wise, and won’t store. Very important for any squash you store not to be picked early, it will rot.

[@MFaith777]

What do you do if the stem is still green, but you’re about to get a frost? All of my butternut squash is still green stemmed! And frost is coming tonight...

[@przybyla420]

Well if the weather is supposed to heat up you might be able to save it with a blanket and trash can, or cardboard box or something. If not you’ll have to eat it or make some soup and freeze that. It’ll still keep for awhile just not long term

[@przybyla420]

Well if the weather is supposed to heat up you might be able to save it with a blanket and trash can, or cardboard box or something. If not you’ll have to eat it or make some soup and freeze that. It’ll still keep for awhile just not long term

[@przybyla420]

Well if the weather is supposed to heat up you might be able to save it with a blanket and trash can, or cardboard box or something. If not you’ll have to eat it or make some soup and freeze that. It’ll still keep for awhile just not long term

[@przybyla420]

Well if the weather is supposed to heat up you might be able to save it with a blanket and trash can, or cardboard box or something. If not you’ll have to eat it or make some soup and freeze that. It’ll still keep for awhile just not long term

[@offgridsweden]

Great that you did this video. This is the first year I got butternut squash in my garden. Thanks for letting me know when to harvest them. Greetings from Andreas on Off Grid Sweden channel

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

So glad you are having success this year! It is so rewarding...

[@uekiguy5886]

Hello to Sweden from Kansas, U.S.A. Many people plant winter squash in July because they have a 90-day maturation period. However, I plant mine as early as possible because you can use the young, green, immature fruits as summer squash. Green butternut is THE TASTIEST summer squash--much better than yellow crook neck or zucchini. Try grating and sauteing in butter. If you plant both summer squash and winter squash, they will probably be from the same species category and will cross-pollinate so that you cannot save the seeds. Getting both summer and winter squash from the same plant is an ideal solution. As I'm sure you know, there are many species of vegetables that if you keep them picked, they keep producing since the goal in life for a plant is to produce seeds for the next generation. So when I harvest them green, I harvest all of them guilt-free because it keeps producing and producing and producing and there will be plenty of mature ones for the fall. In fact, (I have no scientific evidence for this, but) it seems I end up with more winter squash in the autumn because the plants decide to set more blossoms since I keep stealing "the babies". I often harvest the green ones about once a week. Also, the Mexicans use the squash blossoms for quesadillas. Look up a squash blossom quesadilla recipe. It is succulent. (And if you know any Mexicans in Sweden, they will love you if you present them with squash blossoms.) Once again, when I harvest blossoms, I pick all of them. A new batch of blossoms will appear in just a couple of days. Also, if you lift up the end of a squash vine and cut it where it flexes, you can use this as a nice green vegetable. You get about 12 or so inches (sorry, don't know metric). Since the vines are so prolific, they can always use this kind of pruning. If you're keeping track, that's four vegetables from one plant. How cool is that? Getting such multi-use is a great space-saver. Since they can be trellised, that's another space saver. You get two green vegetables and two yellow vegetables, so you are getting the color/nutrition variety. A couple of times, I've had all four forms in one meal. Are you familiar with FoodWishes.com? (Also a KZbin channel) Try his Butternut Squash Soup recipe. In all honesty, it is the best soup I've ever had in my whole, entire life.

[@wahnitafinnegan4410]

Thank you for this video first time growing them and my husband and I didn’t know when to pick them😊

[@chefswole]

This was great newbie advice! Thank you!

[@JoshandMandy]

Butternut squash is a volunteer at our homestead too. It grows on it's own and stores all winter. A wonderful crop for any homestead. Thank you for making this video. Will you do one on the bird house gourds? I've never thought about growing bird house gourds till I saw how neat yours looked. No pressure because I know how busy it can get on the homestead. Stay safe!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

We will definitely try to do one on the gourds...this is our first year raising them as well so we are just learning. They are pretty amazing!

[@mr.baseball3880]

First timer here so this helped out a lot. Thanks for the great information and posting!!

[@denisegirmer4550]

Can u cure them in a sunny window or do they need to be outside? Ty😍

[@tracyatkins6120]

Thank you!! This video was perfect timing.

[@northerndeplorable6653]

Thank you for this excellent and straight-to-the-point video. Just the info we needed!

[@_thatchickchris8246]

Butternut my favorite of the squashes 👍🏻.

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

+_ThatChick Chris Ours too, for sure!

[@esanford]

Thanks... can you eat them right at harvest?

[@cindys.w.8566]

We've had butternut last us 15 months in our back room. The stems should be cut as long as possible for the best long term storage. The taste will change a lot if picked to soon and have little flavor unless you PICK when ripe, don't be in a hurry the flavor is just amazing when picked when ripe and cured at least 1 month+

[@angiebaggett9223]

ITS MY 1ST TIME GROWING BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CAN YOU HARVEST THEM AND EAT THEM THE SAME DAY OR NOT??

[@7891234able]

My first yr for these. I have 8 big ones and several little ones. Ya for me. Lol. Now how and what to cook w them.

[@thenameofYeshua]

We love butternut squash and this is our favorite way to eat it. I cut the squash in half lengthwise, place the pieces cut side down in a pan and add maybe a quarter of an inch of water so the juices don't burn. I put it in the oven for roughly an hour at 350° until the whole thing is tender when I squeeze it. I take it out and let it rest and cool for a bit so the liquid can absorb back into the squash and so I can handle it without burning myself. After the water has disappeared, I turn each half over and gently scoop out the seeds and strings. Then I scrape the flesh into a bowl and add butter, salt, and vanilla. We like it lightly sweet, so I taste it to see if the squash is sweet enough on its own or not. If it needs a little help, I add a little brown sugar. SO GOOD! We also love curried butternut squash soup and I often use plain baked butternut in place of pumpkin to make pumpkin muffins.

[@debbiesherrill7228]

Thank you, could you show us a video to make Butternut soup, or how to cook it with a meal?

[@dawnesmith-sliming7004]

Debbie Sherrill Roasting butternut squash is also a good option. It can even be added to hummus once roasted :)

[@thenameofYeshua]

I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but since I just posted it above, I thought it might help. We love butternut squash and this is our favorite way to eat it. I cut the squash in half lengthwise, place the pieces cut side down in a pan and add maybe a quarter of an inch of water so the juices don't burn. I put it in the oven for roughly an hour at 350° until the whole thing is tender when I squeeze it. I take it out and let it rest and cool for a bit so the liquid can absorb back into the squash and so I can handle it without burning myself. After the water has disappeared, I turn each half over and gently scoop out the seeds and strings. Then I scrape the flesh into a bowl and add butter, salt, and vanilla. We like it lightly sweet, so I taste it to see if the squash is sweet enough on its own or not. If it needs a little help, I add a little brown sugar. SO GOOD! We also love curried butternut squash soup and I often use plain baked butternut in place of pumpkin to make pumpkin muffins.

[@dougbright8120]

Good info! Just getting close to harvesting our single large and beautiful butternut that grew from our compost burial site following manual pollination. I was wondering why the early-established leaves at the original seed/root site are starting to turn yellow and die off, while the rest of the plant is still growing pretty well using its new roots established along the way. Is this typical or did we over-fertilize or something? It gets plenty of water but is not over-watered and being in a raised sandy bed is well-drained. Thanks in advance. D

[@spoolsandbobbins]

I’d say they are just the parts that are the oldest and that’s why they seem to die off sooner than the rest of the vine. Ours are like that too but still carry life to the rest of the vine. Just the way it goes...

[@FloraForever]

I'm very happy with this video, lots of good Information to help out other people who are just as keen to grow these plants as much as you are, thank you!😀

[@Minnesota_Mama_Bear]

Just decided to try these this year. Also doing buttercup. Glad to see you grow them on a trellis. I was searching those type of videos when yours auto played. Love your channel! I try to watch daily.

[@Jack-sk4mp]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Almost picked mine to early lol. Thank you and just subscribed!

[@ysmeine8]

I was given some immature butternuts that were pucked due to frost. I cut the first two up and sauteed them skin and all. The flavor was similar to acorn squash. I tried to do another today but after cutting I noticed they had started to ripen up sitting on my table. I did cut up a few for the freezer as I am not sure if they will cure.

[@philipthayer2737]

Light frost won't hurt em at all

[@LisaMarieTattersall]

First time I grew butternut squash! Thanks for your valuable info. I picked 12 not ripened. Will wait! God bless 😇😍

[@wtchfrmpnw]

Thank your for the clear, right to the point information!

[@loristclair9732]

Thanks so much for the info! It is exactly what I was looking for.

[@Shelzbells]

are the squash plants supposed to die off after the fruit is about ready? All of my plants are almost dead and there still may be some squash on it

[@sarainsopo9743]

Shelley G. Yup that’s exactly how it happens!

[@mintcream1186]

This was a very useful video. I’m growing winter squash for the first time and I had no idea how to tell when it was done thank you.

[@tcanderson1313]

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to know!

[@50shadesofgreen]

That's fantastic advice and information as I have a bucket load of butternut squash and I was wondering how I was going to find out when to harvest them !! Thanks for sharing

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

I'm so glad it was helpful.

[@dumbbunnie123]

You said in another video, that the canned butternut squash was watery...when I did can them I found a way to salvage it was to purée and drain it through a piece of cheese cloth or tea towel... After that the root cellar and dehydrated and powdered worked very well for me. I just cooked the squash, purée did it and put it on fruit leather sheets in the dehydrator ! Once powdered it was the most convenient way to make a delicious side dish in minutes....soup is as simple as chicken broth shallots sautéed and the powdered butternut squash and some milk or cream, depending on our dairy supply at the time ....just a suggestion you might enjoy that has fed my family for decades!

[@maureengosselin9386]

can I pick my butternut squash and eat it right away or do I have to let it sit in the sun for a week ?

[@lololollaughatlife1431]

Can you show us how to build a root cellar and also how you store things in your root cellar and generally how long we can expect things to last in a root cellar?

[@debrataylor5324]

How do you freeze butternut squash?

[@bantamdude]

With a freezer?!

[@monicareinhart9624]

Cut in cubes, put on a pan, flash freeze. Then put in baggies or whatever you use.

[@lauriekeikkala9937]

Thank you that was so informative! A big help! Here in Arizona where it is currently 103° in late August I was so unsure as they look like they are cooking on the vine! I am wondering if putting them in my extra refrigerator in the garage Will be OK for cold storage? Not too cold? Our garages are very hot until November…..

[@lynutermark1454]

Thank you for the 411, that's what I needed to know.

[@esteramwaalwa]

Thank you. you explained it so well.

[@samanthawillard2759]

Thank you, this was incredibly helpful! Harvesting my first butternut squash soon!

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Yes Mam you are correct on when its time to harvest. Great job done here!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

I really appreciate it!

[@craiginker6732]

Awesome information. Thank you so much.

[@barbarabaker9840]

If the vine has a bad case of powdery mildew will the squash still ripen? Mine are large but the stem is still green. The squash look ready but stem is still green. Thanks

[@doramather4729]

I like adding steam butternut squash too Mac & cheese because I am adding a vegetable to a cheese and pasta meal. So good. I also like planting butternut squash in my garden.

[@ponderosapondhomestead4344]

Thanks for this video from 7 years ago. I did a KZbin search on how to know when to harvest butternut squash. Picked yours because you always have helpful videos.

[@auntieg9431]

Thank you. I'm a first time grower (in the uk) and really grateful for your wisdom and experience from 'the other side of the pond'. Thanks so much

[@robertbridge7678]

1st year growing and I have quite a few. I understand curing but I have heard storing around 55 degrees 70% humidity. But in North Carolina During July, August and Sept. we will not get that low in Temps. Where do we store? In the house the A/C stays around 75 degrees. that is coolest place!! Garage is way hotter.

[@kennysilver9769]

You did a great job in showing the way to tell when they are ready to harvest. This is my second time viewing this video. I watched a couple of other channels, but could not tell much because they didn't show close-ups like you did. Thanks you!!

[@professorbuchanan894]

Thank you this is my first successful year with butter nut squash and I was concerned about them growing on a trellis. Which I added to prevent an animal from eating them.

[@jthepickle7]

Maybe not the place, but may I suggest MARINA DE CHIOGGIA winter squash. I just had one, baked - the best squash I have ever had! (I saved seeds enough to share FYI - write if interested)

[@onwardbe]

thank you this was very helpful.. much appreciated

[@michaell1665]

Thanks again... had to review as I'm close to harvesting my small butternut squash bounty here in SE Louisiana.

[@DisgruntledVet]

Thank you for sharing. Just what I was wanting to know.

[@Awesomewally]

By chance do you remember how many plants you grew total?

[@bantamdude]

You always end up with less than what you start with.

[@PlainJane48]

We cure ours in our shed, it is usually warmer in there and they do very well.

[@leemartin9156]

Is it the heat, rather than sunlight that cures them?

[@pamfergusontaylor567]

Mine are big and green when will they turn this golden color it’s august 28 2024 they were planted on memorial weekend everything is slow this year

[@shellymcgrew4412]

How many actual Butternut squash did you plant, if you remember? What I’m looking for is what should I expect from each plant.

[@jeanque04]

Thank you so much for thé info. Greetings from Belgium

[@cynthialopez4485]

Thank you. I just planted a butternut squash & a spaghetti squash yesterday. Honestly, I've never eaten either, but I hear they're quite tasty and I like the fact that they can be stored. I hope you will consider doing a video on how to store these properly & how to cook them.😊

[@whatintheheck4692]

Thank you! It’s my first year planting butternut squash and this was very informative, especially the stem part!

[@wingabouts]

Question: how many vines did it take to get that many fruits? I have 3 vines that are each giving me 1 fruit. I think the spot I have them may be too shady but I was curious if that's just what's normal. Thanks for the very useful information! 💞

[@spoolsandbobbins]

My vines have been growing since June in mostly sun. Some of them have about 4-6 per vine. I’ve kept them well watered this dry summer. They are growing in composted manure plus I give them compost tea every week. I think feeding them and keeping them well watered really helps but sun is definitely a benefit.

[@wingabouts]

@@spoolsandbobbins Thanks Heidi, I've actually been doing better this year, more sun and more fertilizer! I'm still only getting a couple fruits per vine. Next year I'll push it even further I hope. 🏩

[@marenbrophy1784]

Didn’t know any of this and picked mine while still green because I was afraid they would keep getting huge. Can they still be eaten?

[@stevenr2789]

This will be my first year to try and grow butternut squash. I’m growing them out of a salt lick tub for cattle. It’s on my patio. How can I keep the vines from going everywhere and if they grow on the cement is that ok and what other pointers would u have for me. Ty

[@vitalinsights411]

Gréât tips. I have some in my garden and was wondering when to harvest.🙏🙏🙏

[@ishaa5948]

Thank u. I was thinking about getting rid of all of my squash plants because I don't want to pollinate by hand. But these have just started to bloom so I have hope🙏

[@shellyaltman6279]

Is it NECESSARY to cure them? We chunked ours up and froze them. Didnt cure.

[@FaithfulPracticalHomesteading]

This is my first year trying butternut squash. Actually, unbeknownst to me, my 6-yr-old planted a single seed in my cherry tomato container and it's doing very well! There are three butternut squashes growing so far! However, I checked on them yesterday and saw that the end of one of them was rotting with mold of some sort. Do you have any ideas or suggestions so it doesn't spread?

[@glennsosinske3260]

Put some straw or other dead dry vegetation under the squash so as to keep them off the moist ground. They can rot from where they have ground contact. It works very well for me. I did a harvest yesterday, and there are no spots on mine. Try this method. Remember, keep them dry at all times!

[@dianelanderson5504]

I have a dark green squash! All my tan butternut squash on same plant fell off prematurely due to. Bugs. Now I have a huge green one? How is that possible on same vine?

[@highvibesforever]

Thank you for sharing. How many plants did you have to grow that many squash?

[@rockydelnegro550]

Luckily I'm from the volunteer state . ( Mid Tennessee ) and guess what... we had volunteer butternut squash in my onion patch ! Lol being our first time growing butternut this video was perfect . It taught us so much ! Thank you Sara .good job

[@kitchenmadamskitchen2564]

I came here because I planted one n didn't know if it was ready to pick it or not. Thanks for sharing.