Butternut squash: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow butternut squash under cover?
Sow butternut squash in spring in pots with drainage holes filled with seed compost. Sow one seed per pot about 1–2 cm deep. Keep the compost slightly moist without soaking it, and the pots warm, at around 20 °C.
After germination, give the seedlings good light. Having two leaves is not enough to make them ready for outdoors: acclimatise them gradually and wait until the soil is warm and all risk of frost has passed.
Plant in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, keeping the root ball intact. Adjust spacing to the growth habit stated for the variety: trailing types need more room. Watch for pests and identify problems before taking action, without routine preventive treatments.
Place the seed on its edge and start with a pot about 7.5 to 9 cm across. Remove the germination cover once shoots emerge so air can circulate. Label each variety, as earliness and space requirements differ between butternuts. Prepare for planting out before roots remain crowded at the bottom of the pot for a long time. If conditions are still too cold, move the intact root ball into a slightly larger pot rather than planting outdoors prematurely.
How do you sow butternut squash outdoors?
How do you plant out butternut squash?
How to care for this plant
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Keep fruits off the soil
When squash fruits develop on the ground, place a board or tile beneath them to separate them from damp soil without pulling the stems.
How do you harvest butternut squash?
What easy recipes can you make with butternut squash?
