Newbie. Butternut Squash Growing Experience

[veg4681]

Not totally new to vegetable growing but I've never grown butternut squash so this year, I'm giving it a go.

Has anybody out there experimented with butternut squash? Are they demanding or straightforward to grow. My seed packet indicates they're ready for harvesting in Sep-Oct.

I have 3 small plants appearing to grow incredibly slowly, they're slightly yellowish looking foliage (but not dead). They're not in the greenhouse as I don't really have one, except for a 2 tier plastic cover greenhouse which is being used to house my first strawberry experiment.

I'd love to hear any of your experience with butternut squash.

[ian]

Hi very easy to grow, dig a big whole, 2ft x2ft ish put a lot of organic matter in it. plant 1 squash. Very little work thereafter. Beware they can ramble they will run out about 6ft in any direction. Plant next to sweetcorn and they will provide good ground cover for the sweetcorn. You can also train the up a trellis should you wish to.

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Veg4681. If you've got 3 fruits already you're doing OK. Once the weather improves a bit they'll grow much more quickly. You can see mine here, but I'm sure they'll take off if we get any decent weather - it's not looking hopeful.

[veg4681]

Very little work thereafter. Beware they can ramble they will run out about 6ft in any direction.

Thanks Ian for your info. I don't have that much space for rambling that far but it is still okay if the plant stray away from my veggie plot and into the lawn or even low hedge?

[veg4681]

Welcome to the Vine Veg4681. If you've got 3 fruits already you're doing OK. Once the weather improves a bit they'll grow much more quickly. [ATTACH]2490[/ATTACH]

Thanks Alice for the picture. How nicely organised you are.

Sorry I meant I have 3 plants, not 3 fruits and they're 3-4 times smaller than your squash plants which I note are already trailing nicely. I agree the wet weather isn't helping much so we'll see.

[Matt.]

I wouldn't woory about them - they sound just like the ones I have. Compared to similar plant types such as pumpkin and courgette they are growing really slowly but I guess thats just the way they do it! Its my first year with all these veg as well so a I'm still enjoying the learning experince.