Butternut squash problems

[kt.]

Where am I going wrong with BS.  Over 2 years I have planted 3 varieties: Harrier F1, Avalon F1 and another I don't recall.  Of the 12 plants the first year I got 1 BS about the size of an orange (grown outside).  Of 8 plants this year, 4 are in a greenhouse with one BS growing and none on those outside. 

Each plant is transplanted into 1/2 a wheelbarrow load of manure, watered well.  Plenty of green growth on all plants with those grown under glass having almost twice as much green growth as those sown a month later.

I have used new seed each time and my allotment is in Teeside, the soil is excellent.  Anybody this far north have success and if so how do you do it.  I will try once more next year before giving up the ghost. ::)

[kt.]

[Alex133]

I'm down south and only variety ever had any success with is Hunter which matures a bit earlier than others - but it's still not particularly good. I don't think they're suited to the UK but others may disagree.

[goodlife]

Is you problem the lack of fruit or the size of it?..both? ::) :-X
Perharps you could give a helping hand for the nature and do some hand pollination. That way you should get good 'set' and then it's up to the weather and your stamina with watering can.
You could also try some poached egg seeds..sown couple of weeks before planting the squashes and let those flower amongst the squashes..they will draw pollinators in if your squash flowers are not tempting enough on their own... ;)

[Jeannine]

When are you sowing and in what and when are you transplanting XX Jeannine

[realfood]

KT Lawson, I fear that you are a bit too far North to have much success. Next year, try the other types of Winter Squash, such as Crown Prince, which are so much easier to grow and taste just as good as Butternuts. I am even further North than you and no longer try to grow Butternuts.

[Jeannine]

I can see no reason why you cannot grow Butternuts.Harrier is the earliest one and way ahead of Crown Prince in maturity times.

When in Hull which is not as far North I grew 80+ varieties of squash every year and never found one I couldn't mature if I started early enough, even the very long maturing ones which have a much longer growing time than Butternuts.

This why I asked when did you start.

I would start  very early inside in 3 inch pots, transplant to  6 inch tall pots,then to 10 inch pots, then outside when conditions were OK, the plants took off with no problem.

Small plants will shiver even in good weather and sit still for some time.They do eventually pick up but then have to struggle to catch up and often can't. The summer squashes, courgettes eg can be started much later.

XX Jeannine