Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Butternut Squash — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Cucurbita moschata |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 4–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 15.6–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 85–110 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 182.9–304.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow 2–3 seeds 1 inch deep per hill in fertile, well-drained soil and thin to the strongest vine. Butternut is a long-season crop, so calculate the days to maturity against your first fall frost date before planting. The vines spread widely; allow 8–10 feet of run per plant. Harvest when the skin has turned uniformly tan and the stem dries out fully; cure for 10–14 days in a warm location before storing.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · butternut-squash
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0