Organic 'One Penny' Butternut Squash
Organic 'One Penny' butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) from Gaia seed company, a local, early-maturing variety designed for food security
The One Penny squash is a unique selection developed by Telsing Andrews (Asterlane Edibles) specifically for the Ottawa region. Designed as a food security squash , it is distinguished by its exceptional productivity , rapid growth , and very early maturity , making it more reliable than other butternut varieties in cooler climates. An open-pollinated variety, it produces fruit typical of classic butternut squash, suitable for winter storage and rich, nutritious culinary uses.
Companion plants : Corn, Climbing beans, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers, Parsley, Celery, Buckwheat, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Oregano
Nefarious plants : Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper
Spread/Habit : Vigorous trailing plant
Plant height : 30 cm (12″)
Quantity per packet : 20 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Ottawa regional selection, very early maturing, fast growing, high yield, reliable butternut for cool climates
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Sweet, musky flesh (typical of butternut squash)
Cold tolerance : Not tolerant
Resistant to deer (undocumented → left blank)
Farming method
Soak the seeds for a maximum of 24 hours in lukewarm water, then scarify to optimize germination.
Start sowing indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Transplant outdoors in late May–early June , when the soil reaches 25°C .
Sowing depth: 2.5 cm (1″) .
Spacing: 38–45 cm between plants and 60–90 cm between rows.
Grow in full sun (level 3), with moderate watering (level 2).
Germination: 7 to 10 days , between 25 and 32 °C (optimum 27–35 °C).
Maturity: 50–60 days — exceptionally fast for a musk rose.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the squash has a rich color , a very hard rind (resists nailing) and the spot on the ground turns cream, gold or orange.
Cut, leaving 5 cm (2″) of stem to avoid the risk of rot.
Allow to mature in a dry, warm place before storing.
Store at 10–12 °C , with 55–75% humidity and good ventilation.
Usage ideas
• As a purée or creamy soup
• Roasted squash with herbs and spices
• Cubed for use in stews, curries, and tagines
• As a filling for homemade ravioli or gnocchi
• Perfect for winter storage , thanks to its reliable and early harvest
The One Penny squash is a resilient, early-maturing, and highly productive variety, bred to provide a consistent harvest even in short growing seasons. An exceptional choice for gardeners in northern climates or those focused on food security.
