20 Pcs Organic Waltham Butterbut  Squash  Seeds- Organic Heirloom-(Non GMO)- Award Winning Vegetable!CUCURBITA MOSCHATA/ VV097

 The extremely vigorous vines of this 1970 All America Selections Winner produce uniform butternut squash fruits with delicious,creamy, rich, dry, yellow-orange flesh under smooth tan skins. Waltham sets the standard for butternut squashes, and can store for as long as six months. Expect 4 to 5 fruits per plant, each measuring 23cm (9") long, with thick flesh and small seed cavities. Allow the fruits to ripen completely on the vine, and then give them a quick wipe down with some weak bleach solution to kill any bacteria on the skins. Store in a cool, dry place.  Waltham Organic butternut squash seeds are Certified Organics.

Exceptional quality, no stringiness. This long-lasting squash stores all winter. Try it steamed, boiled or baked. It is extremely rich in vitamin A. This is the most common winter squash used to make the popular, creamy soup by the same name, and it is a popular baking squash. . A large, vigorous growing vine and heavy producer. The already great taste will improve with storage.

Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late May or early June once the soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors during the first two weeks of May. Make sure plants are in the ground no later than June 15th.

Germination: Seeds should germinate in 10-14 days.

 Optimal soil temperature: 25-35°C (77-95°F). 

Starting: Sow seeds 2cm (1″) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Space summer squash 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 90-120cm (36-48″) apart. Give winter squash and pumpkins even more room with a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48″) apart in rows 120-180cm (48-72″) apart.

Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big plants need lots of food. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer worked into the soil beneath each plant. All squash grow male flowers first, at later female flowers. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of their petals and require pollination by bees mostly. Incomplete pollination often happens at the beginning of the season, and results in misshapen fruits that are withered at the flower end. Just discard these damaged fruits before they begin to rot.. You can encourage bees to your garden by growing Phacelia or Buckwheat for improved pollination.!

Light requirements: Full sun.

Planting: Space 24 to 72 inches apart, depending on type.

Zone: Not winter hardy. Compare the days to maturity to the length of a typical summer in your area. Days to maturity are from transplant date.

Soil requirements: All squash types need well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Work at least 3 inches of compost or other organic matter into soil prior to planting. Create raised beds if soil tends to be heavy and poorly draining.

Water requirements: Keep soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. Before vines begin to run, mulch soil lightly to reduce water evaporation. Once vines spread, leaves shade soil and act as living mulch.

Frost-fighting plan: Squash plants are sensitive to frost and are damaged by even a light frost (28º F to 32º F). It’s a good idea to protect newly planted seedlings from late spring frosts by covering plants with straw or a frost blanket. Do not let frost settle on late-season fruits of summer or winter squash. Frost-kissed winter squash won’t store well.

Common issues: Watch out for squash bugs, squash vine borers, and cucumber beetles. If pest problems start early in the season, grow plants beneath floating row covers. Squash can experience blossom end rot, where the end of developing fruits starts to rot. Powdery mildew often appears on leaves in late summer.

Harvesting: For best Flavor pick when small, if fruit gets big the plant stops producing. Check the plants regularly.  Winter squash, like acorn, hubbard and butternut, should ripen as fully as possible on the vine, but gather all fruits before frost. Cut squash from vines, leaving an intact stem attached to squash. Having a stem section (one-half to 1 inch) is the secret to successful storage, both short- and long-term.

Storage: Refrigerate summer squash in a loosely closed plastic bag. It will stay at peak freshness and nutrition up to 5 days, and remain useable for up to 14 days (although it may become soft). Winter squash can be stored for varying lengths of time, from a couple weeks to several months. Hubbard and butternut store longest. Research best storage conditions for the type of winter squash you grow. Field-cure for 10 days in the sun, or cure indoors in a warm room for 4 or 5 days. To prevent mould sponge the skins with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach. Store at 10-15ºC (50-60ºF) with low humidity with good air circulation. Try on a shelf in the garage.

Winter Squash: Fruit is ripe if your thumbnail doesn’t mark the skin and the stem is dry and brown. Cut the stem about 4cm (2″) from the fruit. Squash survive a light frost, but store better if harvested before frost.

Quick Facts:

Days to germination: 10 to 14 days

Days to harvest: 90 to 110 days; Matures in 110 days

Light requirements: Full sun

Water requirements: Regular watering

Soil: Loose, fertile and well-draining soil

Container: Possible but not ideal

Optimal soil temperature: 25-35°C (77-95°F).

Planting: Space 24 to 72 inches apart,

Creamy, rich, dry, yellow-orange flesh

Can store for as long as 6 months

Extremely vigorous vines

Open-pollinated seeds