Squash Seeds - Winter - Waltham Butternut

Growing Waltham Butternut Winter Squash Garden Seeds

Sowing & Growing:

Sow Waltham Butternut Winter Squash seeds in either late summer or early fall before your region's first frost. As long as the temperature is 60°, you can plant butternut squash in hills. Water winter squash daily and deeply, as squash has shallow root systems. For an abundant crop, It's recommended to lay down mulch, as squash plants need to stay moist in order to thrive. Winter squash like Waltham Butternut, are fast-maturing tender annuals and prefer more acidic soil. Even though Waltham Butternut Winter Squash seeds are a cool season crop, cucurbita maxima types need warm enough conditions in order to fully develop their oval bell-like shape, rich color and tough exterior. Once your winter squash has grown 8-12" in size, it's recommended to apply fertilizer in order to yield more abundance.

Harvesting:

Harvest winter butternut squash 85-90 days from the sowing date or once their color turns and their exterior becomes tough. Detach Waltham Butternut Winter Squash plants from their vine with a knife or gardening shears. Store your squash over winter by harvesting before your region's first frost. Winter squash varieties can also last for months by curing them. However, Waltham Butternut Squash tends to grow best while they're still attached to the vine. If you're faced with difficulties before the harvesting period, cut the squash from their vine and continue their growth in a cool, dry location. Visual signs will help you know when butternut squash is ready to pick, as their stems will turn from green to brown. You can also harvest winter squash once they've grown 8-12" in size. As the holidays approach and the summer season fades, gardeners everywhere plant this popular squash to enjoy over winter. The bright-orange flesh and tan exterior of Waltham squash can be baked into a rich dish with cinnamon or cooked as a velvety butternut soup.

Facts:

Cucurbita maxima, or squash in general, was first grown in Central and South America. The 2 major differences between growing winter and summer squash varieties are: how fast they mature and their soil preference.