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How to Grow Butternut Squash

Cucurbita moschata

A sweet, nutty winter squash that stores for months and is one of the easiest squash to grow.

Quick Facts

🌡️ Season

Warm-Season

☀️ Sun Needs

Full Sun (6+ hrs)

💧 Water

Moderate

📐 Spacing

48 inches apart

🕳️ Planting Depth

1 inch deep

📅 Days to Harvest

85–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

6–6.8

🌡️ Min Soil Temp

65°F

🏠 Start Indoors

3 weeks before last frost

🌱 Direct Sow

Yes

🔥 Heat Tolerance

High

❄️ Cold Tolerance

None

When to Plant Butternut Squash by Zone

Planting dates vary by USDA hardiness zone. Find your zone at the Smart Planner.

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zones 3–4 (Cold)	Apr	May, Jun	May, Jun	Sep, Oct
Zones 5–6 (Cool)	Apr	May	May	Aug, Sep, Oct
Zones 7–8 (Moderate)	Mar	Apr, May	Apr	Jul, Aug, Sep
Zones 9–10 (Warm)	Feb	Mar	Mar	Jun, Jul, Aug
Zones 11–13 (Tropical)	Jan	Feb	Feb	May, Jun, Jul

Visual Planting Calendar

Zones 3–4 (Cold)

Jan

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May

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Jul

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Oct

Nov

Dec

Zones 5–6 (Cool)

Jan

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Dec

Zones 7–8 (Moderate)

Jan

Feb

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Dec

Zones 9–10 (Warm)

Jan

Feb

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Zones 11–13 (Tropical)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Direct Sow

Transplant

Harvest

Recommended Varieties

Waltham

Classic variety, excellent storage

Honeynut

Mini butternut, very sweet

🌿 Companion Planting

Plant With

🌽 corn🌱 beans🌼 marigold

Keep Away From

✗ potato

🗺️ Growing Zones

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Highlighted zones are suitable for growing butternut squash.

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Ready to Plan?

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