Harvest?

I have five Sweet Dumpling pumpkins, one Butternut Squash and a Mammoth Pumpking growing in my garden. It is my first year growing squash and I have absoltuely no idea how long to leave them on the vine or pick them and put them in a sunny spot. Please, what should I be looking for? They all look quite big! :cnfs:

 

I leave mine on the vines til first frost, Sterile.
Then cut them with a good couple of inches of stalk.
Take them indoors, but you can put them out in the sunshine on good days to further cure the skins. Well cured squash will keep for months.
I store mine in the utility area. I can be eating them until January. I think they would store longer but I've gobbled them by then.

 

Thanks for the replies :wink: I had no idea that the fruit would last so long after being picked! I was getting very worried because I promised the mammoth pumpkin to my nephew (for his Halloween lantern) but the rind has gone dull now which I understand means that it is ready to be picked? I will leave them on until the frost and then bring them inside to cure - it's so nice to have a definite idea of when to harvest them - the gardening books are too vague!:hehe:

 

My mrs buys butternut squashes, puts them in the veg rack, then I throw them out about 1 year to 18 months later.

She bought 2 sweet potatoes about 2 years ago, I planted one in the spring & i've just thrown the other one out.

 

How's the sweet potato performed, Ziggy?

 

I like the sound of your missus, Ziggy. Next time, tell her to stick to boil in the bag.

 

Sweet potato just grew into a mini bush, about 8inches high. I guess it should be bigger than that by now.

I can get Mrs to cook home grown veg if I blanch & freeze it.