skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

growing winter squash

16 years ago

Hello,

I was hoping to grow winter squash (one of the butternut types) and wondered if others have had good luck with it. My main concern is the squash vine borer, which has been a problem in the past when I grew pumpkins. Does it attack winter squash as well, and are there varieties that grow better than others? Thanks for any tips.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

farmerdilla
16 years ago
The butternut types (C. Moschata) are the most resistant to SVB. They are hard vine squash and I rarely have the SVB attack them, but they do a number on the C Pepo and C. maxima.
bb
16 years ago
winter squash are quite easy to grow and store.
they do take up alot of room and mostly take care of themselves. watch out for those squash bugs tho'.
the vine borers don't bother. I grow Waltham Butternut.
Related Discussions
Winter squash don't grow!
Q
Comments (9)
I'll try to get pictures when my husband gets home (he's the photographer). And I had a feeling the problem with the summer squash was pollination - we'll definitely start hand-pollinating them. We grow in raised beds. The winter squash is in a 4'x8' bed, currently sharing it with brussels sprouts (taking up the bottom 2'x4'), which are about to be harvested. We started out doing square foot gardening, so the soil is a mix of peat moss, vermiculite, and compost. We've since started planting less intensely, but we still use those beds. We amend the soil each year with our own compost, and we also use E.B. Stone's organic fertilizer. The sun exposure isn't perfect, but we haven't had trouble growing other sun-loving plants (beans, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, cucumbers) in the exact same spot. Also, we rotate beds every year and there's only really one bed that doesn't get what I would consider "full sun" - and it's not the one the winter squash is in this year. I planted the squash in hills, three plants to a hill (a total of six plants) and then thinned to two plants after they had their real leaves. I cut the extra plants off at the soil line, so I didn't disturb their roots. Let me know if there's any more information that would be helpful!
...See More
When to harvest winter squash
Q
Comments (3)
I'm not sure I agree with the point that pulling it too early, will result in it not storing well. I have had very few squash spoil. I have had many store 8-12 months before eating them and I had one that I ate at the ripe old age of 16 months and it was just fine (I label all my squash with the date they were picked). I just ate one that was picked last August and grown from a Buttercup that was hand pollinated with a pumpkin flower (ButterPump) . I didn't think it would last because it looked like a pumpkin and was fairly thin, but again it was just fine. I also still have about 4-5 Triamble that were picked last summer although these guys are so solid with such hard skin that I think they would last near forever! Seems like a fair amount of data indicating picking early doesn't adversely affect how they store. My daughter thinks I should perform a taste test experiment but I think I'll just continue cutting them when I decide they're done.
...See More
Growing winter squash vertically
Q
Comments (3)
People have done it but there are problems: Vines and leaf stems are brittle and easily broken. Growing on a trellis makes them vulnerable. Wind is more damaging to large leaves when up on a trellis rather than spread out across the ground. Aventicious roots that form at leaf joints will be unable to take root. You want as many of these to root as possible to prevent wilting and maximize nutrient uptake. Vines branch and spread agressively, your trellis will will be hard pressed to handle the weight and spread of a vigorous grower. Sunlight may be restricted as leaves on top of each other shade each other out. Or leaves may receive sunlight only on the sunny side of the trellis. I've never done it but some have, so it is possible. I think it requires some judicious pruning and vine management. I know what you mean about getting hooked on growing these things. All the sizes, shapes, colors, textures. When I open a seed catalog I love to go to the squash section. It's like opening the centerfold of a girly mag. Another strategy is to grow the squash vines at the outer perimeter of your garden and guide the vines towards unused space. The vines are very easily convinced to go whatever direction you guide them to. The don't resist at all.
...See More
Winter squash growers?
Q
Comments (8)
Thank you both for your responses, henhousefarms and little_minnie. If I get much more desperate for winter squash, I may end up going your route, henhousefarms! I am trying to go the minimal pesticide route (I will use bT on things, but that's about it), but this is getting frustrating! Little_minnie - I could have sworn I was the only one who injected bT into the stems! I use one of those marinade injector syringes that I picked up cheap from Big Lots once. For a few years it seemed to do the trick, but last year at least it was no use. I just recently had to go through the injecting process. This was the first year I tried row covers, but I used tulle rather than plastic row coverings (had it already and have used it with great success over cabbage) and once the plants got bigger they all clung to it and I eventually took it down. I would grow butternuts, but there are so many other winter squash that I enjoy more that I just can't bring myself to give up just yet. Again, thank you all! It was good to get an idea of what has worked for everyone else. Jill
...See More
vtgreenthumb
16 years ago
I am going to try buttercup, is that a good SVB type also?
farmerdilla
16 years ago
Nope, Buttercup is a C. maxima. Prepare for war with SVB.
booberry85
16 years ago
I grew Waltham Butternuts last year. I had no problems with SVB or cucumber beetles (my personal nemesis.) I just ate my last butternut this weekend and have the seeds drying.
susandonb
16 years ago
I have grown butternut for three years now and never had a problem with bugs. I grew one from Johnny's that had a number for a name. Last year I grew a variety called Canesi. Had about 40 plants and harvested about 4-5 bushels of huge squash. I just gave 3 of them away today. We harvested in October. I have about 3 left for us.

Susan in NC
Belgianpup
16 years ago
I just had eight Waltham Butternut plants and harvested 53 viable fruits, most of excellent size! Delicious!

Sue
livvyliv10
16 years ago
It really depends on your area and your squash vine borers. Desperate SVB will often infest melons, cucumbers and butternut, although they do that less often. I've never had a problem with my melons, but they got all my Waltham butternut last year.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

WINTER GARDENING Extend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden

By Paintbox Garden

If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Pumpkins

By Marianne Lipanovich

Start in spring to grow your own fall decorations and have plenty left for pies

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

SUMMER GARDENING How to Grow Basil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: Where Are the Craziest Places You Grow Edibles?

By Annie Thornton

Basil in a bathtub, spinach stacked up a wall ... If your edibles occupy an odd spot, we’d like to know

FARM YOUR YARD 10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

FARM YOUR YARD 14 Crazy Places to Grow Edibles

By Annie Thornton

Some Houzzers may lack ground for gardening, but they’re never short on imagination

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

What are rabbits favorite veggies?

11

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4

Tiny leaf bite marks

1

Veggie Tales >>> May 2024

11

Planting beans in the same place twice in back to back year?

5