How to Grow & Pick Butternut Squash

Plant butternut squash after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has started to warm.

Butternut squash is a tasty, sweet variety of winter squash that is sometimes used to replace pumpkin in pies and other recipes. It is also delicious when roasted and served as a side dish. This type of squash is ideal for a large garden because it requires quite a bit of room. It does best in full sun and will thrive in almost any type of soil, as long as it is well-drained. Pick butternut squash in fall, after the skin has turned solid tan and hardened.

Things You'll Need

• Garden fork
• Organic compost
• Garden spade
• Garden hoe
• Organic fertilizer
• Sharp knife

Instructions

1. Remove all weeds, grass and large rocks from the selected planting site. Loosen the soil to a depth of 7 to 8 inches. Amend with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic compost.

2. Create hills of soil using a garden hoe. Plant five or six seeds at a depth of 1 inch in each hill. Leave a space of 5 to 6 feet between each hill. Add enough water to moisten the soil well.

3. Water the hills every two days until the seedlings begin to emerge. After the seedlings are established, add moisture anytime there has been less than 1 inch of rain in a week.

4. Remove weeds regularly with a garden hoe to prevent competition for water and nutrients.

5. Fertilize with organic fertilizer at the rate and frequency described on the package.

6. Inspect the plants often for signs of insect infestation. Treat promptly with insecticide if you suspect a problem.

7. Harvest butternut squash when the hull is very hard and smooth and the stems have turned brown. This usually occurs during September or October. Use a sharp knife to cut the vegetables free of the vine, leaving 2 inches of the stem attached to the squash.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply insecticide during the early evening to avoid harming the bees that are required for pollination of the squash.

• Butternut squash that have lost their stems, been injured or exposed to frost should be used quickly.

• Store butternut squash in a single layer in a location that is dry and maintains temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees F.

• Do not over-water butternut squash because this could lead to root rot.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Winter Squash
• Old Fashioned Living: How to Grow Butternut Squash
• Grow Guides: How to Grow Butternut Squash
• Gardening Know How: How and When to Harvest Butternut Squash