That's awful. I don't blame you for being disappointed. Your id doesn't say what zone you are in. I'm in central NH so I wait until the vines show signs of dying. The stems should be starting to shrink up. I put them inside to finish drying. It might be too humid/wet outside. Right now mine are in plastic milk crates in the garage. They will do better in a cooler place.

I think certain varieties are better keepers. I remember my in-law used to be lucky to have a buttercup squash last until Christmas. I've since discovered Confection (Johnny's) which I think is in the kabocha family. For a butternut type I had very good luck with a Penn Dutch long neck from Bakers Creek. I might have the name wrong. Definitely a butternut type with a very long neck.

Hope you have better luck next year. Maybe a neighbor can give you some tips appropriate for your zone.

(live and learn) I live in Colorado, in the foot hills. I waited until the vines had died on almost all the pumpkins, but then we were supposed to get a really big snow, so I went out and gathered everything I could. They were inside for about 3 days, but then I put them out on the front porch. Its shaded though and it was relatively cool, so I thought they'd be fine. Guess I know for next time!

The butternuts you mentioned sounded good too. I'll have to look into them! Thanks!