Squash, Winter 'Waltham Butternut'
Cucurbita moschata
The most widely grown and beloved full-size OP butternut, Waltham is reliable and delicious. Flesh has smooth texture and sweet flavor, particularly after two months of storage. Developed in the 1940s by plant breeder Charles R. P. O'Connor in Waltham, Massachusetts. O'Connor was working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a squash variety with a strong focus on high yield and good storage qualities. First introduced to the market in 1950, the fact that this variety is still a favorite today, 75 years later, is a testament to its quality and success. Average weight: 4–5 pounds. AAS Winner. Seed is certified organic.
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as enjoying garden harvests well into the fall and winter. When the garden is blanketed in snow, I’m especially grateful for the sweet taste of winter squash—whether drizzled with maple butter, roasted to perfection, or simmered into a rich pasta sauce.
Packet contains approximately 20 seeds.
DETAILS
Plant type: Annual
Days to maturity: 105 days
Light preference: Full sun
Plant spacing: See below
Hybrid status: Open pollinated
SOWING
Depth: 1/2-1 inch
Days to germination: 75–95°F
How to Grow
Sow indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out after danger of frost. Roots do not like disturbance, so we prefer to direct sow. Direct sow in late spring when soil is at least 70°F and danger of frost has passed. Sow 2 seeds at the appropriate spacing for the variety's vine length, 1/2- to 1-inch deep. Thin to one plant.
Spacing: To keep things simple, we space 36” apart in rows 6’ apart (as close as 24" on a trellis), but here are more-precise recommendations. Between-row spacing: bush plants, 4-5’; short vines, 6’; long-vines, 12’. In-row spacing: small, 18–24”; medium, 24–36”; large to XL, 36–72”. Potential storage/optimal period: 3-6+ months.
Harvest & Storage
Harvest when fruits have a uniform, tan color. Fruits are typically ready about 50–55 days after fruit set, and should be harvested before any hard frosts. Sun cure by exposing fruits for 5–7 days. Store at 50–55°F and 50–75% relative humidity and good ventilation. Repeated exposure to temperatures below 50°F may cause chilling damage.
SHIPPING
FREE: $100 or more on any seeds
$3.95: 1–9 seed packets
$7.95: 10+ seed packets
Photo Credit: Johnny's Selected Seeds
