I plant our winter squash so that it matures slowly at the end of September and into October. It tastes so much better that way. Many of my contemporaries around here have already got their crop in the barn. It ripens too quickly if you plant early. I have five varieties of butternut this year so that we can all have a grand experimental taste test. I will have some at the Pumpkin Parties on the farm and at the Ice cream social to try too. Each week we will put a different variety in the box and invite your feedback.