Grow Your Own Magazine

I ate a butternut squash the other day. Just as an experiment, I planted the seeds from the middle of it. They're now all growing, but I have no idea if I can expect these things to bear fruit. Does anyone know?

welcome to vine.i can't see why not.my squash plants have one pair of leaves and will plant out in 2 weeks time.on gardners world last friday they showed their squash but not planted out yet.good luck

Welcome Pensca.

Yes, your timing is perfect. They are big rambling plants, and will need quite a bit of space, but you will get 5 or 6 butternuts a plant. Let them ripen where they are as they store better. They will be ready to bring in in October -before the first frosts- and last till following spring.

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Paul

Big rambling plants? Will they still bear fruit in pots? I've overdone the sowing as usual and have not enough ground to put them in.

Can't see why not if the pots big enough to keep them watered and they will need feeding.

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Paul

Hello Pensca and welcome to the Vine. Yes, your seeds will grow on and bear fruit.
Terrier, they are big rambling plants. They might sprawl out about 8 feet. And they like it hot and sunny. They will do well in pots. Last year I grew mine in 12" pots - filled 50/50 compost and manure. I got 3 squash per plant. Sorry the pic of them growing is on my other computer but here is one in the kitchen - or it might be two. See what pics I have there.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I'm growing a couple of carnival squah from a supermarket squash I bought and ate 2 years ago. I grew them last year and they were great - just as good as the original (better, they were organically grown this time) and they came true to type. I saved seeds again from last year's so I'm growing the grandchildren of the original.

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Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

Hello Pensca - and welcome!!
Yes they will grow- they like a lot of muck in the soil.
If you plant them with no other squash varieties nearby, then you'll be able to save some seed back for next year too!
Good luck with them- yum!

Nicos - what's the significance of not growing them near any other squash varieties please?

Thanks all for your replies - I hadn't expected the answer to be 'yes' so I'm really going to look after them now!

I think he means they are quite promiscuous and you won't end up growing butternuts.

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Paul

Alice... can I ask...

Do they really sprawl out that much!!?? We eat butternut squash all the time and I had never thought of saving the seeds. It is the kind of thing I could sneak in a corner of our shared garden I think.

C