How is your Butternut Squash?

[kirsty b]

My first year growing squash of any type.
Have had a small pumpkin already, leaves of plant died off, and when I tapped the fruit it sounded hollow, so its now in my garage. Have got a nice sized squash on another plant, coming along nicely.

My other squash plants are younger than these two, and have just started setting loads of flowers.
I'm happy with them so far.

[Headfry]

can I fleece my squash patch or will that increase the risk of mildew?

[Paulottie]

Good Question? don't see why. I don't think its an air circulation problem that causes it. Its more to keep the frost off the ripening fruit and by that stage mildew doesn't matter...I'd guess its fine...but there shouldn't be a frost in Oxon just yet.

[Headfry]

Just checking as I found many babies when looking under the mass of leaves last night!
I am hoping to get them big enough to eat???
Thanks Paulottie, I will only fleece if I have to.
ps.....burrrrrr cold last night 6 deg in greenhouse! eeek!!

[FarmGirl]

I had the same problem last year and then all of a sudden I had reasonable sized butternuts! The same has happened this year - at the moment they are the size of a golf ball - so wait a while to see what happens.

[Headfry]

FarmGirl, Hi and welcome!
Mine are about the same size at the moment!

[fruitylala]

Mine are just sprouting tentacles! I'm sure the seed packet said winter bns though. Will check later. Am really excited to see these grow - first timer n all that (!!) - these plants are monster !!

[veg4681]

Mine are just sprouting tentacles! I'm sure the seed packet said winter bns though. Will check later. Am really excited to see these grow - first timer n all that (!!) - these plants are monster !!

I know, mine says Winter too. Maybe that's in reference to being able to store squash for 3 months (or more??) after you've harvested in Oct. My seed packet shows harvesting between Sep and Oct.

It could be warm right up to November, who knows. I might try and protect the plants during cold nights. After all, what have I got to lose.

[Peter]

I know, mine says Winter too. Maybe that's in reference to being able to store squash for 3 months (or more??) after you've harvested in Oct. My seed packet shows harvesting between Sep and Oct.

It could be warm right up to November, who knows. I might try and protect the plants during cold nights. After all, what have I got to lose.

Yup and they can store for up to a year, you do loose some in storage, your nose will tell you when.

[stv]

I have a few small fruits growing away happily, but the leaves are also small and not very green. Can anyone advise what i should do to make them look a bit happier?

Thanks, Stv

[Paulottie]

A nice cup of comfrey tea....or maxicrop perhaps.

But in honesty it is getting cold at night now and If they've got powdery mildew... well a bit of a losing battle. They are not easy things to fleece over really you can only practically protect ripening fruits .

I found three fruits on five plants...not a good year.

[momol]

Hi Stv,

I think Paul has state his point, we can always fertilize them to boost it's grow but it won't work when the weather is not helping. My advice will be, grow the early type next year and start germinating them from march/ april in door.
Let your squash grow as big/ as mature as it can and harvest them before severe frost hit them and meanwhile search for early winter squash for next year plan. If your squash is not fully mature, it is still edible but it will not stores well.

All the best,
Momol

[Phreddy]

Squash is an American name for the stuff and is either summer or winter. That is when it is ready for eating.
Here, they grow the stuff and around this time the foliage fades, the squash are left on the ground to harden, then collected and placed off the ground but still outside to develope a hard skin. Frost is not due yet, maybe October, I forget, I only remember the spring limit - May 1st.
Our first two BNs were delicious!
Would you like a pic of the last of ours, basking in the sunshine?

Phreddy

[Flummery]

Oh yes, can you pop it in the Virtual Veg Show? Might get a prize!

[Winged one]

I tend to keep an eye on Ruffmeister's Lottiblogs website/blog (he posts on the RHS BB), and he harvested his first, misshapen squash last weekend.