Butternut Squash

[Anita Plot]

This is my first year growing these and they have not been good. I have had trouble finding information on them.
Should I limit the number of fruits on each plant?
Should I cut the dying leaves off?
When will the last ones be ready?
Please help.
I thank you.

[Pies]

I usually stop mine at about 8 depending on when they are set but i am alot further south than you. I never bother with cutting dying leaves off.The fruits should be a decent size by now,they may not be ripe but thats not a problem as they can be ripened of inside,but if the fruits havent reached full size by now i doubt they will,sorry
This might help next year Allaboutallotments Growing Butternut Squash
In my very limited experience squash need warmth,plenty of food and water and sunlight

[Two_Sheds]

It's been a poor year for squash (here, anyway). Summer was too wet, too cool

[Jono]

I haven't had as good a year as normal. They're one thing that usually grows really well on my plot.

When I plant them out I dig a hole and fill it with manure before putting the squash in. I also plant them in a little recess so that when I water the liquid stays in around the roots.

Keep going though, they're one of the best things to grow imo. Keep for ages, versatile, delicious, attractive and expensive in the shops.

[Fruit&2veg]

Butternut sqash

Hi all
My first post, but am finding the forums really interesting! Not sure what makes a good crop but I have 20+ from 4 plants, seems like a good return to me? Love butternuts- so versatile, and relativly trouble free, but think I will have to harvest them this weekend as the 2 legged Rats have already helped themselves to a couple- might just leave 1 or 2 suitably marinated in something "nasty" for the litle darlings!:

[Florence Fennel]

That does sound a good crop F&2, congratulations and welcome to the Vine!

[Two_Sheds]

Keep going though, they're one of the best things to grow imo. Keep for ages, versatile, delicious, attractive and expensive in the shops.

I agree with most of that sentence, except the last bit: Aldi are selling big bns for 85p each, bargain. I picked up a few unusually shaped mini squash in Lidl (locally grown, so somebody had a good crop round here) for the same price

They are a brilliant thing to grow, I love them

[shona_b]

I'm going to give them one more year as this is the 2nd in a row I've been really disappointed whilst others on the allotments have got monsters! I'm going to go with some recommendations for different types of squash that are supposedly easier to grow. Nothing fruited from the 3 plants on the allotment and the 2 plants I put in my raised beds at home have one fruit each - the larger of the 2 is only 10cm ;(

[Ricardo]

My Butternut Squash just did not produce fruit early enough this year. It seems that I planted too late although I followed the seed packet dates. Variety is Winter Waltham. It has produced a reasonable number of fruits, just too late to mature. Was it just a strange year weather-wise or should you normally follow the seed packet to the letter? I'm a great believe in the saying "If all else fails, read the instructions" but it seems that let me down this time. I'll try again next year 'cos I luv 'em too.

[dawndaisy]

My BNS managed a total of 6 fruit from 2 plants, all a decent size. I removed any new fruit forming after the first 6 established, which I think helps the first fruit reach a decent size. I kept the plants in big pots of MPC until the beginning of July, so they were big plants before they went in the ground.
I watered for the first few weeks only, and fed with seaweed liquid. Worked for me this year but every year seems different.
Its the first year Ive had my allotment, and they look far healthier than they used to in my garden. I suspect the soil is quite fertile, and I did mix in extra MPC when I first dug the area.
Dawn

[ugley_matt]

Just to clafify, the squashes should be full size by now and just ripening? I've got about 8 or so on 4 plants that are only 2-3 inches in size. DO i bite the bullet and pull them out?

[Two_Sheds]

Yep, they aren't going to do anything now Matt. They should already be in your freezer

[alex-adam]

I think I'm too far north to grow butternuts, but never mind, - it's lunchtime and we're having butternut squash and bean soup, garnished with some sage leaves and warm ciabattas - mmmmmmmm

a-a

[Rocketron]

I've tried for four years and haven't had a single, edible BNS. Guess what's not on my list for next year.