TopVeg – growing veg,fruit&herbs

This is a list of steps to show how to grow butternut squash.

1. Sow Butternut Squash seed indoors in  April, so they have a long enough growing season.

• Plant 1 seed in a small pot , point bit facing up.
• Cover with some clingfilm and put on a frost-free window sill.
• Temperature needs to be above 60F for germination.
• Remove the cling film when they emerge (takes 1 or 2 weeks)
• They will be ready to plant out 4 weeks after planting or when they have 3 leaves.
• Don’t rush because squash like warm soil and will be killed by frost.
• Introduce them to outside conditions gradually, by putting the pots outside during the day for a bit, so they harden off.

butternut squash

Plant the butternut squash out:

• when the soil has warmed up & all risk of frost has gone.
• plant in a sheltered spot, out of cold winds.
• protect with a cloche or cold frame if possible.
• dig a bucket sized hole, & fill it with soil mixed with compost or well rotted farmyard manure
• plant the butternut squash in the soil mixture
• the butternut squash plants should be at least 1m apart
• mulch the soil with compost or well rotted farmyard manure.
• watch out for slugs – they will eat the shoot off if given a chance

Growing the butternut squash:

• feed the plants once a week
• water regularly – they will drink a lot
• keep the plants under glass or plastic, if possible, unless the sun is very hot

Ripening the butternut squash:

• the squash will start to ripen in September
• remove any leaves covering the fruit so the sun can reach them
• leave the squash on the plant to ripen, unless the days get cold. Do not leave on the plant if frost is forecast
• when the fruit has turned yellow it is ripe
• cut the squash off the plant with a knife, leaving a short 5cm stalk
• leave the butternut squash on a sunny windowsill to dry out and ripen, for 2 weeks, before putting into store

Storing butternut squash:

• allow the fruit to dry completely before storing
• store in a cool, dark, airy place
• hang the fruit up, so that air can circulate around it
• butternut squash will store for several months

Click this link to buy some butternut squash seeds

Butternut squash need a lot of tender loving care, but if you follow these guidelines of how to grow butternut squash, you will be enjoying these squash through the winter!