Kawaii -- to answer specifically for your region of N. lower Michigan, you should probably start transplants in mid-May indoors and transplant to the garden around June 10th to June 15th. You should be able to harvest mature squash in late September. As said above, butternut is a very long-lasting squash. I've had them store in my basement for close to a year -- I threw out the last few stragglers from the 2007 crop which were lurking in my basement during Labor Day weekend of 2008 to make room for the incoming new crop later that month.

Too early? In Atlanta I wouldn't think so. What are your soil temps running? And if you are seeing squash bugs already then it should be plenty warm. The soil temps up here in northern AR aren't quite warm enough yet - need a week of good warm weather. As for preventing squash bug damage - there are lots of posts here about how to control them that a search will pull up. IMO row covers and daily egg patrol work best unless you want to get into some of the chemical sprays. Adults can just be knocked off into a jar of hot soapy water and killed. Dave

If I am not mistaken, the vines will also help you know when to take them in. Let the vines dry, if in fact they are drying/dying out it should not hurt to let the squash sit in the field a little while. No danger of frost this time of year LOL

"Early season results"? Hi Y'all, I have been enjoying my squash (striped zuchinnies) for a week now. My first scallopini squash will be ready in a day or two.(they are both bush type and nicely compact) So will be cucumbers, any day. My gourds (Luffa, swan, birdhouse...) have vines over 12 ft long and have just started flowering. All of this is happening where considered zone 7.5(not quite 8), while Portland Oregan is zone 8 and you guys are still babying those little Squakies (Grin). I do not understand this zoning thing. By the way, I have direct sowed all of my cucurbitas, no greenhouse, no cold frame, no indoors, no peat pots. Our last frost scare was on/around April 10th. I had to cover them then otherwize they could've been zapped.