Squash, Winter, “Waltham Butternut” Seeds
Winter squash gives you the perfect reason to look forward to winter! The rich, sweet flavor of butternut quickly became a classic and has set a high bar. Roast, bake, or pureé into a soup for classic winter fare. 8″–12″ long, 3–6 pounds, light tan skin with yellowish-orange flesh. 4 to 5 fruits per plant; solid stems resist squash vine borers. Stores for months! 1970 All-America selections winner.
This packet sows up to 17 mounds.
Type: Butternut
Days to Maturity: 100 days
Plant Vitals
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–85°F.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Roots sensitive to disturbance; sow in 4" biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Row Spacing: 6'–8'
Thinning: When 3" leaves, thin to 1–2 per mound
Harvesting: Harvest when the squash's rind is hard enough that you can't dent it with your fingernail and before first frost. Cut stem, (don't break it off) leaving 2" of stem attached, which keeps the squash whole, leaving no opening for infection. Though fruits are hard and may seem indestructible, treat them gently; bruising can spoil squash.