Stack of butternut squash on a wooden surface

Cucurbita spp.

Squash - Winter

In the diverse family of squash are true nutritional powerhouses, encompassing a wide array of forms, flavors, colorations, and culinary applications. Squash are rich in the carotenoids necessary for vitamin A production and boast a wide complement of amino acids. While starchy, most of the carbohydrates in the fruit come from special polysaccharides, pectins, which have exhibited strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic, insulin-regulating properties.

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The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 65–85°F
Seed Depth 1–1 ½"
Seed Spacing 3–4/hill
Days to Emergence 5–10
Thin Plants to 1–2/hill
Row Spacing 3–6'
Fertilizer Needs Medium
Minimum Germination 75%
Seeds per Gram • Acorn, Butternut, & Delicata: 9-16 • Buttercup & Hubbard: 3-7 • Green, Gray Summer: 7–9 • Kabocha: 5–7
Seed Life 3–4 years

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More About The Seeds & Plants

Winter Squash Disease Resistance Key

Cucumber Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing mottled, distorted cucumber leaves.
Powdery Mildew
Papaya Ringspot Virus Viral disease causing ring spots, distorted cucurbits.
Squash Leaf Curl Virus Viral disease causing leaf curling, yellowing, stunted growth.
Watermelon Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing mosaic patterns, stunting.
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing yellow mosaics, stunted growth.

* Numbers indicate specific disease race.

More About

Cucurbita spp.

Days to maturity are from date of direct seeding.

Culture
• Fertile, well-drained soil gives best results
• Squash is a warm season crop, so avoid planting too early; raised beds and plastic mulch help keep roots warm
• Squash are monoecious (bearing separate male and female flowers on the same plant) and require insect pollination
• Poor fruit set is often the result of inadequate pollination; plant bee attractant flowers

Direct Sowing
• Plant after frost danger when soil warms to 65°F
• Work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 cup TSC's Complete fertilizer into hill
• Keep soil evenly moist but not wet as too much moisture causes seed to rot
• Bush varieties: sow 3-4 feet apart
• Vining varieties: sow 4-6 feet apart

Transplanting
• Start indoors 3-4 weeks prior to anticipated transplant date in 4 inch pots
• Work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 cup TSC's Complete fertilizer into hill
• Transplant carefully as to not disturb roots

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Spotted and striped cucumber beetles, vine borers and squash bugs
• Insect control: Row covers and/or apply Pyrethrin
• Moschata species are resistant to vine borer
• Common diseases: See chart below; diseases vary by region
• Disease prevention: 3-4 year crop rotation, and fungicide applications

Harvest & Storage
• Leave on vine until fully mature. Vines should be dry and the leaves should be brown. Wait until the stem dries out and becomes tough, and the rind is hard enough that your fingernail cannot pierce it
• Harvest during dry weather
• When winter squash is mature, cut stem with a sterilized sharp knife, leaving 2-4 inches remaining, and gently wash in sanitizing solution; 10 parts water to 1 part bleach
• Never use the stem as a “handle” as it may break off and expose the skin, which may allow disease in
• For best results move winter squash to a warm dry area 80-90°F to cure; see each type (below) for curing requirements
• Store winter squash at 50-60°F with 50-75% relative humidity and good air circulation. Check occasionally for signs of rot

Curing Requirements
• Acorn: Curing not required; Stores 2-3 months
• Buttercup: Cure 10-14 days; Store 1-2 months for best flavor; Will keep 4-6 months
• Butternut: Cure 10-14 days; Store 1-2 months for best flavor; Will keep 4-6 months
• Delicata: Curing not required; Stores 2-3 months
• Hubbard: Cure 10-14 days; Store 1-2 months for best flavor; Will keep 4-6 months
• Kabocha: Cure 10–14 days; Store 1–2 months for best flavor; Will keep 4–6 months
• Mini-Hubbard: Curing not required; Stores 2-3 months
• Spaghetti: Curing not required; Stores 2-3 months

Approximate seeds per gram
• Acorn, Butternut, & Delicata: 9-16
• Buttercup & Hubbard: 3-7
• Green, Gray Summer: 7–9
• Kabocha: 5–7
• Patty Pan: 7-10
• Romanesco: 4–5
• Spaghetti: 4-7
• Yellow Summer: 7-15
• Zucchini: 5-8

KEY TO SQUASH DISEASE RESISTANCE AND TOLERANCE
HR indicates high resistance.
IR indicates intermediate resistance.
CMV | Cucumber Mosaic Virus
PM | Powdery Mildew
PRV | Papaya Ringspot Virus
SLCV | Squash Leaf Curl Virus
WMV* | Watermelon Mosaic Virus
ZYMV | Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus
* Numbers indicate specific disease race.

From Our Farm Team

An Employee Favorite You’ll Love to Grow

Butterbaby Squash is our employee favorite for its rich, sweet flavor and perfect personal size. These compact plants produce abundant, single-serving fruits with classic butternut taste and smooth texture. Easy to grow, store, and enjoy.

Butterbaby Winter Squash

Vegetable | squash winter | butternut

From $13.95

Cucurbita moschata 105-110 days. These irresistible personal-sized butternuts are deliciously sweet and rich flavored. Uniform fruit average between ½ and 1 ½ pounds each with an appealing tan-colored skin and deep orange flesh. Butterbaby stores up to 4 months. Space-saving semi-bush plants can be trained up a trellis for extra real estate conservation. IR: PM.