Butternut Squash Novice

[hazel]

squash in pots

I planted some squash seeds in a pot & I now have 2 enormous, leafy plants. They are getting bigger every day! They don't look like vines at the moment-they're quite bushy.

I don't have a garden, only a yard. so I don't quite know what to do with them now.

With winter coming on, I expect they'll die in the frost. I can bring them indoors, but what then?

What's the best thing to do with them in the spring?

I'm a bit of a novice gardener & I got such a shock when the seeds grew. Now I'm at a loss.

Any ideas, anybody??

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hazel and welcome to this mad house. You are right the frost will kill them and you can't bring them inside because they can grow enormous! The best thing would be to start again next year. Sow the squash seeds in April and then plant them out when they are big enough in either grow bags or large pots. They are really easy to grow. Why don't you try courgettes at the same time?

[hazel]

Thanks-I'll do that. I'm really looking forward to trying it again.

[lyndap]

Do you have to wait for the skins to change colour and harden before you can use?I've got two full size butternuts but dont seem to be changing colour at all!I dont want to leave them to long else either slugs or frost will get them!

[Squirrel]

Lyndap - butternuts seem not to change colour just pick them when they are the right size. Mine were greenish when very small but started to go the beigy colour well before they stopped growing. I picked mine and have left them to harden up their skins on top of my wine rack.

[lyndap]

Thanks for that info.I'll see if I can manage to get to the lotty to pick them tomorrow.