Question
Hi Mike,
I am a first time gardener and have planted six butternut squash plants in a planter that is on my deck.  They are growing beautifully and quite large at this point.  However, they have not turned yellow yet.  Do I wait for them to turn yellow before I harvest or do they turn yellow once they are harvested? I am just not sure what to do.
Thanks so much!

Answer
Lorraine, butternut squash will always start off with a greenish tint that gradually evolves into a light yellow with green stripes. Once the stripes begin to fade, the squash will turn orange. At this point, they are ready to harvest.  Never wait until the fruit is fully grown to harvest. The squash will be much more tender and sweet at an earlier stage. Once you begin harvesting, you will learn quickly by sight and feel when the squash is ready to pick. For me, it always when the green stripes begin to fade.  

By the way, the time period on the seed packet is from sowing to fully mature. For most squash varieties, this is normally 75-80 days. I always harvest one week before that for the reasons stated above.  

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.  

Regards,  

Mike