Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash

Cucurbita moschata

Sow outdoors 2 weeks after your last spring frost. Space plants 36 in (91 cm) apart.

Photo: George Chernilevsky, Public domain · source

When to plant

Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.

See the dates for your garden

Enter your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Every timing on this site turns into a calendar date. Not sure of yours? Your local extension service or a search for “last frost date” and your town will tell you; the app finds them from your location.

Last spring frost
First fall frost

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Optimal Direct Sow

From seedRecommended
  1. Sow outdoors2 weeks after your last spring frost
  2. First harvestabout 95 days after sowing

Optimal Indoor Start

From seed
  1. Start indoors1 week before your last spring frost
  2. Begin hardening off1 week after your last spring frost
  3. Plant out2 weeks after your last spring frost
  4. First harvestabout 81 days after sowing

Growing butternut squash

Spacing in the row
36 in (91 cm)
Between rows
60 in (152 cm)
Planting depth
1 inch
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, rich in organic matter, pH balanced
Germination
5-10 days at 70-85°F
Harvest season
Late Summer, Fall
Mature height
Vining, 1-2 feet (mound height) with vines spreading 10-20 feet
Support
Trellis
Life cycle
Annual

Sow seeds 1 inch deep directly outdoors after soil warms, or indoors 3-4 weeks before transplant.

Watering. Maintain consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at the base, avoiding overhead irrigation.

Neighbours

The companion chart →

Grows well beside

Keep apart from

Feeding

Seedlings
Light liquid feed once true leaves emerge for indoor starts.
Growing
Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or side-dress with compost when vines begin to run.
Flowering and fruiting
Continue balanced feeding, ensuring adequate phosphorus and potassium for fruit set.
How often
Every 3-4 weeks after initial growth spurt.
Note
Avoid excessive nitrogen once flowering begins to prioritize fruit over foliage.

Your butternut squash, planned to the day.

Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.

Add butternut squash to your planting calendar →

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