‘Butterboy Butternut’ squash, certified organic seeds (Cucurbita moschata)

Name: ‘Butterboy Butternut’ squash, certified organic seeds ( Cucurbita moschata )
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Cucurbita moschata

Productive butternut with smooth deep-orange flesh and a sweet nutty taste. Organic heirloom; maturity in 90 to 100 days. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

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Detailed plant guide

Advice adapted to Canada

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‘Butterboy Butternut’ squash, certified organic seeds (Cucurbita moschata) This annual butternut squash produces flavourful fruit with smooth deep-orange flesh and a sweet, nutty taste. Gaia identifies it as a productive open-pollinated heirloom. Its dense flesh suits soups, purées, gratins, curries, breads, and desserts. The packet contains approximately 10 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Kew recognizes Cucurbita moschata as the accepted botanical name in the Cucurbitaceae family and confirms its use as food. Gaia also identifies the young leaves and flowers as edible. This versatile storage squash extends the garden harvest well beyond the end of the summer growing season.

Soak seed in warm water for up to 24 hours and lightly scarify the coat to improve germination. Start seed indoors three to four weeks before the last frost. Sow 1 inch deep and maintain the medium at 25 to 32°C, preferably around 27 to 35°C; germination generally takes 7 to 10 days. Transplant only after all frost risk has passed and soil reaches approximately 25°C. Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart and rows approximately 60 inches apart. Harden seedlings gradually for several days, then water gently after planting to settle the roots without saturating the soil. Provide bright light immediately after emergence to keep seedlings compact.

Grow Butterboy Butternut in full sun and rich loose soil that remains evenly moist while draining well. Plants reach approximately 12 to 24 inches high and spread 36 to 48 inches. Maturity occurs in 90 to 100 days. Harvest when colour is rich, the rind resists a fingernail, and the ground spot becomes cream, gold, or orange. Cut fruit with approximately 2 inches of stem, then cure in a warm dry place. Store cured fruit at 10 to 12°C with 55 to 75% relative humidity and good airflow. Lift fruit from underneath so the stem remains attached, since an intact stem helps reduce the risk of storage rot.

Uses in the garden

Allow stems to trail through a sunny bed with approximately 36 to 48 inches of spread. Place the crop north of shorter plants to limit shading and keep fruit on a dry surface or mulch to reduce contact with wet soil. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimatize young plants to wind, sunlight, and changing temperatures over several days. Follow the stated spacing so air can move between plants and each plant receives adequate light, water, and nutrients. Water at soil level when the surface begins to dry, then adjust frequency for weather, drainage, and container volume.

01 How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains approximately 10 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Butterboy Butternut is an annual open-pollinated heirloom variety. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

02 How should the seeds be started?

Soak seed for up to 24 hours, lightly scarify it, then sow 1 inch deep in pots three to four weeks before the last frost. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination generally takes 7 to 10 days at 25 to 32°C, preferably around 27 to 35°C. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

04 How should planting be organized?

Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart and rows approximately 60 inches apart. Stems spread approximately 36 to 48 inches. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

05 When should it be harvested?

Harvest when the rind resists a fingernail and colour is rich. Cut with 2 inches of stem, cure warm, and store at 10 to 12°C. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth.