acorn squash

[fireslayer]

I have a question...how do you tell when acorn squash are ready to harvest? thanks

[rainbowgardener]

Winter squash, like acorn and butternut, aren't harvested until the vines dry up. By that time, the shell should have hardened up so it can't be scratched with a fingernail and the spot touching the ground turns dark yellow to orange. But do harvest it before the first hard frost.

I have a butternut squash that grew on a volunteer plant, that is getting huge, but I'm letting it sit out there (nervously that some critter is going to come along and get it, after it's been growing all this time).

[Diane]

You're braver than I am. I've picked two butternut after seeing the cuke bugs. One is 5 inches the second one that grew faster is 7 inches.
My plants are volunteers also.