Plant field guide
Squash (Butternut)
Classic winter squash with sweet, nutty orange flesh that stores for months. Vigorous vines need space but produce heavy yields of 10-20 fruits per plant. The most popular winter squash variety.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Cucurbita moschata
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spread
- 72 in (183 cm) – 120 in (305 cm)
- Spacing
- 48 in (122 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–11; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: August.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after danger passes. Cure harvested fruit in sun for 10 days for best storage. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Watch for squash vine borers.
Pruning
Pinch vine tips after 5-6 fruits set to direct energy into ripening. Remove any fruit that sets too late to mature.
Fertilizer
Balanced vegetable fertilizer
At planting and when vines begin to run
Mulch
Straw under developing fruit to prevent rot.