How is your Butternut Squash?

[HeyWayne]

I've had several squashes that have reached golfball size only to turn grey and disappear, or just simply get eaten by something. There are a couple that are about the size of a softball (bigger than a cricket ball, smaller than a bowls ball). Fingers crossed!

[rustylady]

I have one baby butternut squash, about as long as my thumb joint, and as green as grass. I have no great hopes, but I will leave it to develop as much as it can at this time of the year, hoping for an Indian Summer. This year has been awful for all the squash family - Courgettes have been pathetic, and last year I couldn't give them away, I had so many.

[BigstU]

My 1st year this year for butternuts, and i never got a single female flower, so mine got pulled.
The ones i planted on a big muck heap on the farm, had a few fruits forming before they got trampled on by some loose cattle, so not my yaer this year.
Had minor success with the spaghetti and jumbo pink banana with a few fruit of each.

[vegnut]

I've been lucky with mine this year, well, my two should i say. I was given a squash last year, so after devouring it with sunday roasts, i saved the seed, and as i was using the garden this year, (the lottie next year) i grew one in the potato bucket. I got two from it, the first is in the virtual show, the second is slightly smaller, but still very pleasing in size. A small taster for things to come next year, i hope.

[HeyWayne]

Finally managed to get some photos and posted them on my blog. Not holding my breath but you never know!?

[rustylady]

My one and only baby (green at the moment) butternut squash has doubled in size since last week. However, I am not optimistic. The weather has been awful, and even if my baby does continue to grow I don't think it will have enough time to ripen. There is also the possibility that the slugs and snails will get to it before I do. However, I think that we gardeners live in hope, so I will keep hoping and see what happens.

[lainey lou]

I have about 4 fruits on my BNS biggest is about 7 inches long, smallest abot 5 inches!
(just showing off it's my first time growing them!)

[Alice]

Mine have been fair given a truly miserable summer. Not competition standard or loaded in the computer. will will post pics as soon as I load them in from camera. (Why do I take pics of my vegetables ? Please don't anybody answer that )

[Flummery]

Alice, buy a big bag of marbles. Every time you take a photo of your veg, drop a marble. When you've lost all your marbles.... you are a real virtual veg grower!

[Frances]

Hello,
I had exactly the same problem with my butternut squash plants. Loads of what appeared to forming flower/buds, but NOTHING happened. In the end I pulled up the plant. Disappointment. Will try agaiin next year. Frances

[veg4681]

My tiny fruits that came even before any flowers bloomed (an indication that they're unfertilised fruits), died off. As somebody pointed out in earlier thread, they do go yellow first and simply drop off the vine. I guess it's a useful diagnosis so you wouldn't have to set up high hope on fruits like these.

Next year I would grow butternut like I'm expecting the worst summer like we've had this year. I was late for BNS so my own fault really. Same goes for other sun loving veggies that one could plan planting on a worst case scenario. At least you know you've tried your best.

[HeyWayne]

One of the ladies where I work recently visited a RHS garden down Devon way last week, and she said that they had their squashes growing up kind of "pergola" type structures. I saw something done some months ago in either GYO or GW magazine that showed using hazel bent over to form an arch and growing the squash up this.

I might give that a go next year! Ooh, the excitement!

[Bren In Pots]

Thought I'd show you my Butternuts growing on a trailer leaned up against the wall.

I've got 2 that's nearly ripe, but looks like the frost will get the others before they've had chance to grow.

[Dobby]

First year with butternut Crap!!!!!!!!!
just cleard the bed that had 5 butter nut plants in there was 3 about the size of a pound coin. I did not notice them till i was putting an the compost pile

I did take home 6 pumpkings (pumpkin pie )
and a weel bara full of corn Mrs D can sfrip the corn tonight as I have to go to work
Next year going to have butter nut only in one bed and put plenty of muck in ti this winter did not have time to get any muck in last year
I'm determind to get some next year (even if I have to do a fretilaty rite )
I'll do it any way just for fun

[Alice]

My squash haven't been as good as last year - but then, niether has the weather. It's miraculous I got anything at all as the weather in May nearly wiped them out. Not much sun to ripen them well this month so I don't think they'll store well I've just been eating them up. Yum, Yum.