If you don’t have room for a large, sprawling plant but still want to enjoy homegrown squash, ‘Butterbush’ F1 is the variety for you. This compact cultivar requires a fraction of the space required by most squashes, making it ideal for small gardens and large containers. This British-bred F1 hybrid is compact but vigorous, producing high yields of delicious pale-skinned, orange-fleshed squashes that store well after harvesting. This vitamin-rich vegetable is excellent for roasting, mashing, and baking. 60cm in height (24 in). 45cm spread (18 in).
Sowing Information
Sow squash seed indoors from April to May for transplanting later on. Sow squash seeds on their sides in small 7.5cm (3″) pots of seed compost at a depth of about 2cm (¾”). Place in a propagator or seal pots inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 20-25C (68-77F) until germination which takes 5-7 days. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Once germinated, grow squash on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and squash plants are large enough to be transplanted outdoors. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 – 10 days before planting squash outdoors in warm, well drained, humus rich soil in full sun,. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Alternatively direct sow squash seeds outdoors from May once the soil has warmed at a depth of 2cm (¾”) and a distance of 90cm (36″) apart. Sow 2 seeds per hole and thin out the weakest seedling per station after germination. Ideally grow under cloches until squash plants are established.
