Topic: Butternut squash in North of England/ Wales

[Hector]

We are growing Harrier, as believe it is more likely to be successful up here. We have had higher rate of germination than expected. I was going to grow under a home made hoop house to give them a boost....but husband has just asked is it the light or heat they need for more likely success.

If bottom heat, we will put on top of compost bins and let them wander....which releases hoop house space. If whole plane does better undercover I'll bung in hoop house. I did wonder if I'd get away with one growing round feet of dwarf aubergine in hoop house situation.

[galina]

Hector, these are cucurbita moschata and they have a higher heat requirement.  The light levels should be fine.  All squash prefers to be in full sun, but these specifically need more heat

Hoophouse and growing upwards on a support could be a space saving alternative to growing on compost.  Overall they are probably best off in the shelter and extra heat of the hoophouse, but not if you have to turf out peppers to grow them there.  They can be grown in the garden on top of compost, perhaps with a cloche whilst the plants are small?



 

[Hector]

Thanks for that. I think they shall go out and I'll run them along fence line, under medium height hoops  with poly. I'll use the bigger hoop build for Aubergine and Peppers :)

[cestrian]

I live in north wales and never had any luck with butternut squash (or aubergines). I've grown red onion squash though aka uchiki kuri and they spread like wild fire.

[Hector]

Thanks Cestrian, that's good to know. How do you grow them...on a frame?
If the weather of the weekend was typical...we could grow anything here :)

[galina]

Cestrian,  yes that makes perfect sense.  Uchiki Kuri are cucurbita maxima and they do not need to have quite the same warm weather as the butternuts do. 

Also they are lovely squashes that store just as well as butternuts

[Hector]

Would I be too late to propagate those now?

[galina]

Would I be too late to propagate those now?

No, you're fine now. 

[caroline7758]

I got Uchiki Kuri seeds from Harrogate flower show a couple of years ago and would recommend them too. I've still sown some butternut as well - not sure why when I've never had any success with them! Patty pan squash did well for me last year when even courgettes were disappointing.

[Tee Gee]

I just stuck my Harriers in the coldframe last year and put the lids on them and left the plants to their own resources.

I just watered them which was usually about once a week.

I ended up with 2-3 fruit per plant!

BTW I garden on top of the Pennines so in sunny welsh Wales it must be like the tropics compared to what I get.

[johhnyco15]

here on the sunshine coast i must say with light sandy soil and loads of sunshine they are really easy i normally plant them out next week however as its been so cold it might be two weeks i grow metro ,butternut and hunter around 8 of each we eat them at least twice a week so they are well worth a try were ever you live i grew one in the greenhouse one year by mistake the grew huge 4kilo each and 10 on one plant fantastic

[Tee Gee]

here on the sunshine coast i must say with light sandy soil and loads of sunshine

oooooo you are awful

So you won't want to buy my sled and snow shoes then!

[johhnyco15]

here on the sunshine coast i must say with light sandy soil and loads of sunshine

oooooo you are awful

So you won't want to buy my sled and snow shoes then! well put it this way it wont get worn out

[brownthumb2]

 I grew a  butternuts a year back along a fence  with a spaggetti   spaced four foot a part   the butternut grew that much  and swamped the spaggetti.  loads of fruit  but then again I planted where a load of manure sat over the winter