[Swing Swang]

Learner

>I'd recommend butternut squash......... it is as easy as any other squash

Please share your tips, as it's the only squash that I've tried that I cannot get to ripen in time.

This year I'm going to grow a really early variety, give it the sunniest spot in the garden, prepare the bed with lots and lots of compost, feed and water regularly, hope for perfect weather conditions. If this doesn't work then I'll not be giving it space next year, which is a real shame because I fully endorse everything else that you say about butternut, and I love the taste.

SS

[8doubles]

Last year i planted Sweet Mama as well and they did better than the butternut which never really 'took off' like they normally do. B/nut is easier to handle in the kitchen as S/mama can get big and has a tougher rind but has a wonderful chestnutty taste , great roast .
Buy and eat a Sweet Mama squash before you fill the plot with Butternut.

Kev

[richyrich7]

They may be better off grown in a cold frame like this chap does http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_squash_butternut.html

Think I may try something similar this year as last two years I've had zero zip zilch 

[sunshineband]

They may be better off grown in a cold frame like this chap does http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_squash_butternut.html

Think I may try something similar this year as last two years I've had zero zip zilch 

Thanks for the link Richie -- this was quite impressive  Go for it, and hope you get the kind of crop he did 

[celjaci]

Butternut is the best known squash because it's the one the supermarkets always sell but there are hundreds of other varieties in all shapes, sizes and colours.

Although Butternut is great to cook with, it does take a long season to ripen, it may be worth trying Uchiki Kuri which will ripen a month earlier and fare better in a poor season.
Seed is available in many of the catalogues, the fruit is medium sized, bright orange/red and the flavour is good

[sunshineband]

Any one grown Nova? I have one seedling,  and just wondered what to expect

[Paul Plots]

Any one grown Nova? I have one seedling,  and just wondered what to expect

"Super"?? ......sounds a real star...

[mumofstig]

Any one grown Nova? I have one seedling,  and just wondered what to expect

"Super"?? ......sounds a real star...

O dear  

[sunshineband]

Any one grown Nova? I have one seedling,  and just wondered what to expect

"Super"?? ......sounds a real star...

I might have known someone would say that. Thank you Learner 

[richyrich7]

They may be better off grown in a cold frame like this chap does http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_squash_butternut.html

Think I may try something similar this year as last two years I've had zero zip zilch 

Thanks for the link Richie -- this was quite impressive  Go for it, and hope you get the kind of crop he did 

Well I went freecyling today and got


and made



a huge 2.4m x 1m coldframe/squash house. So when I've made a light for it, it will go down the lottie. I think I'll get a couple of plants in that 

[sunshineband]

Brilliant --- looks plently big enough for two squashes .. have you got the seeds in already?

[richyrich7]

Brilliant --- looks plently big enough for two squashes .. have you got the seeds in already?

Yep they are in the greenhouse just popped up yesterday 

[sunshineband]

Keep us up witht he progress as this looks an awesome way of growing them. reminds me of the old guy down the lotty we used to have who grew a massive crop of peppers each year in a similar construction

[Paul Plots]

I guess our "down-south climate" must be an advantage when it comes to squash.... Even in last summers wet and gloom my butternuts produced about 20 fruit outside. Not as big as usual and they did not keep as well but we had lots of soup!

This year I am hoping for a warm September / October for a good ripe harvest.

[Kristen]

You're making me nervous now ... I'm growing butternut squash for the first time this year. I don't have cold frame, but I have a large greenhouse - should I put them in there, rather than outside?