[Donnay]

Hi folks,

First year on my lottie and I want to have a go at growing butternut squash. Can anyone tell me when I should start them off and plant out please?

Also once they have germinated are they best kept indoors until planting out or is an unheated greenhouse ok?

[DrGreenthumb]

hi donnay, ive got some in 4" pots on a south facing windowsill already. theyre about 5" high but i wont put them outside until the end of may at least, theyre not very hardy in my opinion so i acclimatise them carefully and am always nervous of a last frost once they are outside

[Donnay]

That's what I thought but best to check. Thanks

[Kleftiwallah]

I've just transplanted my half a dozen from plastic coffee cup to 5" pot.  Two true leaves each.  They have been in an unheated greenhouse all the time.     Cheers,     Tony.

[Yorkie]

BNS need quite a long growing season.  I would start them off indoors now, but not put them out until after the risk of frost has passed, as others have said.

Make sure they have plenty of light so don't get too leggy.

[Mrs Bee]

I have just started mine off.
I planted them too early last year and they went a bit leggy and I was a bit cramped with the storing of them.

I planted mine out after the danger of any frost.

[bigben]

Without wanting to sound defeatist - If you have not grown squash before you might want to try growing another type alongside your butternuts.

Last year I grew two types and was glad I did because my butternuts did so badly that if they had been my only ones I would have had almost nothing. The previous year was better and I got some small butternuts and some really big other types. As others say they do need a good long season and if the rain this month is anything to go by - if it is not a good year for squash then BNS will do badly.

[Paul Plots]

Without wanting to sound defeatist - If you have not grown squash before you might want to try growing another type alongside your butternuts.

Last year I grew two types and was glad I did because my butternuts did so badly that if they had been my only ones I would have had almost nothing. The previous year was better and I got some small butternuts and some really big other types. As others say they do need a good long season and if the rain this month is anything to go by - if it is not a good year for squash then BNS will do badly.

Good advice I feel...   BNS do like it pretty warm & sunny!