How to tell butternut squash is ready.

When Butternut squash matures, it will probably be around 10 or so inches in length. The skin becomes a deep cream color with orange undertones, and the flesh is bright orange. Winter squashes like the Butternut can be harvested at any time after they are of a mature size for immediate consumption. If you let it stay on the vine until the color deepens, the flavor will be richer as well. The catch about harvesting winter squash is if you want to store them. If you want to store the squash, they keep best if you harvest them after the first heavy frost. This toughens their skin and they keep for longer. If in a cool, dry place, they will keep all winter.