Author Topic: How to Grow Butternut Squash  (Read 19863 times)

1066

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #20 on: May 15, 2009, 08:25:23 »
Just to add to the info on this thread here's what Jeannine advised in a thread last year, which is basically the way I'm going to try growing mine. Hope the extra info helps  :)

Hi, the best thing to do is completely forget about last year. I normally grow 30 or 40 types of squash each year.. it is my passion as many of you know.. but last year was the worst year I have ever tried to grow in and was a dead loss in this area, some areas were OK but many suffered the same problem.Enjpy this year, my gut feeling is it will be a good year.

Tips. don't start them too early unless you can keep them in a warm greenhouse,pot them on frequently until you are in bucket size containers. I did that with many of the hard to mature ones  and also with melons but it takes up a lot of space.

My personal preference is well rotted manure, then black plastic about a month before planting out, it warms the soil a few degrees and helps a lot.Don't overcrowd them, they will be puny plants if you do and will struggle, really give them the space they need, it is better to plant less plants and get good yeilds

Plant good strong healthy plants at the right time into warm  fertile soil with lots of room and you should be just fine.

XX Jeannine

Ishard

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #21 on: May 15, 2009, 08:31:36 »
'There is no appreciable risk in using recycled tires in the vegetable garden. While it is a fact that rubber tires do contain minute amounts of certain heavy metals, the compounds are tightly bonded within the actual rubber compound and do not leach into the soil. One of the ingredients in the rubber recipe is zinc. Zinc, in fact, is an essential plant element. I also expect that rubber is safer to use than treated lumber that contains copper and arsenic.' Charles Sanders 2009  :-*


manicscousers

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #22 on: May 15, 2009, 08:39:24 »
we have grown all our squash in tyres for many years, it protects the neck from the wind somewhat and keeps them warmer, can also cover with fleece easily :)

PurpleHeather

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #23 on: May 15, 2009, 08:41:42 »

shirlton

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #24 on: May 15, 2009, 11:59:41 »
Very good info. We don't live near enough to our plot to cover them at night. Suppose it would be ok if you grew them in the garden
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1066

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #25 on: May 15, 2009, 14:36:39 »
I have a similar problem shirl, so will be keeping them in pots in the garden (more sheltered) until as long as I can put up with 20+ pots on the patio, not including the toms, cucs etc   :D  or of course the table and chairs (which also have small seedlings / pots on them at the mo - think I'm running out of space.......

chippy queen

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #26 on: May 15, 2009, 15:49:55 »
Has anyone got any pictures of how to train them up a trellis, or what you grow them up against. Thanks

BockingBill

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #27 on: May 15, 2009, 21:05:31 »
Nice one peeps - thanks for all the great ideas etc. We are now thinking of planting them in a coldframe full of muck and then grow them up a trellis type structure. Great idea re the plumbers pipe.


campanula

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Re: How to Grow Butternut Squash
« Reply #28 on: May 15, 2009, 23:17:40 »
Could I suggest that you also try a different variety - still plenty of time to sow seed. Butternut is not the tastiest squash nor the best keeper. For me, they also get massive. If not this year, I really must recommend Uchiki Kuri and Crown Prince - both have dense nutty flesh and the Uchiki Kuri stays a really usable size and seem to store forever. Squash take loads of space but I let mine run about on the paths and across other beds sometimes. I am staking all on this summer being great for squash and tomatoes - may even push the boat out and try a melon.
cheers, suzy

 

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