How To Grow Butternut Squash

Introduction

Butternut squash brings a rich, earthy flavour to your kitchen, whether slow cooked in a hearty soup or roasted to accompany a family dinner. In season from September to December, there are many butternut squash varieties to choose from – from classic Waltham to honeynut squash.

Keep reading for tips on how to grow butternut squash as well as caring for your plants and harvesting their fabulous fruit.

When to plant butternut squash

Between April and June is the best time to plant butternut squash.

If you are planting your butternut squash in April or early May, they'll need shelter from frost when tender plants – in a polytunnel or polythene cloche. When you're confident the last frosts have passed, butternut squash can be readily planted directly into the ground.

How do you plant butternut squash?

How to plant butternut squash from fresh seeds

You can grow a butternut squash from seed at home by following these simple steps:

Fill a small 7cm pot with multi-purpose compost that has been sieved. Clean yoghurt pots with drainage holes cut into them work excellently if you don't have any others spare. Push your butternut squash seed down into the compost by about 1 inch. Make sure the narrow side is facing up.
Place your pots on a sunny windowsill or inside a warm polytunnel to protect them from frost. Squashes are thirsty and hungry, so water and feed them regularly – especially in dry spells.
Once they have sprouted, harden off your plants by moving their pots outside to acclimatise to the temperature, before transferring into a planting bed when all risk of frost has passed. Make sure the soil is free draining, has plenty of compost, and you've raked well to remove any stones.
Not sure how far apart to plant butternut squash? Give each plant around three feet of room so their large leaves don't overlap.
Keep their surrounding area free of weeds and add plant feed to the soil regularly. As the fruit begins to grow, place straw underneath to prevent rotting and lock moisture into the soil.
When they're ready to harvest, trim off and leave 1 inch of stem attached to the fruit. Leaving your squashes on the plant for as long as possible will also prolong the time you can store them. You could store a squash for up to three months in a cool, dry spot with decent airflow.

How long does butternut squash take to grow

Butternut squash plants will start to fruit within 6-8 weeks. You'll know when the fruits are ready because they'll turn from green to their orange/tan colour, and the skin will be especially hard. Additionally, the stem of the plant will become dry and start to turn brown.

Butternut squash varieties

Waltham: The gold standard of butternuts. It is highly reliable and produces large, uniform fruits with a classic bell shape. Can often be stored for months in the right conditions.
Honeynut: A smaller variety that is becoming incredibly popular. It looks like a mini butternut but has a much sweeter, more concentrated flavour and a deep orange flesh.
Hunter: Specifically bred for the UK climate, this variety is known for ripening earlier than others. It's a great choice if you're worried about a shorter summer or early frosts.
Butterfly: A high-yielding variety that produces medium-sized fruits. It is particularly resistant to powdery mildew, making it a robust choice for beginner gardeners.

How to grow butternut squash with Premier Polytunnels

You now know how to grow butternut squash, but do you have the right equipment? Premier Polytunnels has been providing polytunnels and accessories for the best growing results for over 35 years. With various sizes ranging from 6ft to 30ft wide, our polytunnels are ideal for both commercial and domestic use. Discover our polytunnel range today and create the best growing environment for butternut squashes.

Not sure which polytunnel is best for you? Contact our friendly team on 01282 811250 or info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk for expert advice and guidance. Check out more growing advice on our blog and growing guides.