Winter squash should have a woody stem and a rind that is so tough you cannot easily mark it with your fingernail. The skin should still look glossy. The best flavor is when you allow the sun to sweeten it a bit in the fall but too much rain can rot damaged squash. If you can cover the squash with plastic - on sticks to it does not touch the skin of the fruit that would be best. Or you can cut the squash from the vine and let it sit under cover but outdoors for ten days. Sounds like you will have delicious squash this Autumn. Enjoy. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti