A B O U T
Waltham Butternut Squash, Cucurbita moschata
30+ seeds

One seed packet filled with wild magic: heirloom organic seeds grown and collected by hand on our small scale farm. For expert and aspiring gardeners. An environmentally conscious alternative to conventional seed.

D E T A I L S
Butternut squash is a winter squash with a sweet, nutty taste. It has yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp. When ripe, it turns increasingly deep orange, and becomes sweeter and richer. An excellent keeper when cured properly.

Days to Maturity: 83-100
Lifecycle: annual
Sunlight: full sun
Soil conditions: requires well-drained, fertile, loose soil, high in organic matter with pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Plentiful and consistent moisture is needed from the time plants emerge until fruits begin to fill out.
Height: 1.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 5 to 15 feet
Bloom time: mid-summer, late summer
Special characteristics: native to North America - Originated in Central America. 
Edible flowers, flowers are sometimes battered and fried or stuffed. 

H O W TO P L A N T
Squashes like warm soil and are sensitive to frost, so don’t be in a rush to plant early in the spring. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to about 70 degrees (Usually two weeks after the last expected frost date). 

Direct seed 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep into hills (which warm and drain earlier in the season) or rows. Sow 4 to 5 seeds per hill. Space hills about 4 to 8 feet apart, depending on the size of the vine. Should germinate in less than a week with soil temperature of 70 F and adequate moisture. When the plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill by snipping off unwanted plants without disturbing the roots of the remaining ones. In rows, sow seeds 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 6 to 10 feet apart. Snip off plants to thin to one plant every 18 to 36 inches. 

Mulching plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Mounding soil around the base of the plants can discourage squash borers from laying eggs.

P R E S E R V E
Whether it’s slowing down to grow something from seed, or taking the time to preserve what we have -from food to furniture to textiles- we make an effort to find beauty in everything that crosses our path.

Seeds are packaged in 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer waste brown kraft envelopes. Thank you for recycling again. In an effort to save on paper and ink, planting instructions can be found above.