Seeds, Squash Butternut Early (West Coast Seeds)

Early Butternut squash seeds are an All America Selections winner. Medium sized squash are uniform on productive, semi-bush plants.

Each fruit has a small seed cavity in dark orange sweet flesh with a tender, smooth skin that is thin, but very hard. Early Butternut is the best choice of butternut squash for gardeners in short growing seasons. Be sure to start your plants indoors, and transplant out as early as possible, around the May long weekend in most climates. In three months the plants should be loaded with fruits that will last in storage for several months.

Matures in 85-90 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Season Warm season

Exposure Full-sun

Timing
Direct sow or transplant in late spring once the soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors during the first two weeks of May. Optimal soil temperature: 25-35°C (77-95°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days.

Starting
Sow seeds 2cm (1″) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Space summer squash 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 90-120cm (36-48″) apart. Give winter squash and pumpkins even more room with a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48″) apart in rows 120-180cm (48-72″) apart.

Companion Planting
Companions: corn, lettuce, melons, peas, and radish. Avoid planting squash near Brassicas or potatoes. Borage is said to improve the growth and flavour of squash. Marigolds and nasturtium repel numerous squash pest insects.