What hardiness zones is Cucurbita moschata 'Waltham Butternut' suitable for?

Cucurbita moschata 'Waltham Butternut' is an annual vine reaching 15-18 inches (38-45 cm) tall with a spread of 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m) and a trailing, vining habit. Developed by Robert E. Young at the University of Massachusetts Waltham Field Station in 1970, it produces bell-shaped (cylindrical neck, bulbous seed end) fruits 9-12 inches (23-30 cm) long weighing 4-6 pounds (1.8-2.7 kg) with smooth, uniformly tan rind and deep orange, dense, sweet, fine-grained flesh. The long, solid neck contains no seeds—all seed is concentrated in the bulbous base. AAS winner 1970. Days to maturity 85-100 from transplant. Growth rate is fast. Stores 3-5 months. The standard butternut squash and the most widely grown winter squash in North America. More resistant to vine borers than C. maxima and C. pepo species.

Native Range

Cucurbita moschata originated in Central America and northern South America. 'Waltham Butternut' was developed by Robert E. Young at UMass Waltham Field Station in 1970.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—roasting, soups, mashing, pies. The standard butternut—most popular winter squash. Deep orange sweet fine-grained flesh. Seedless neck easy to cut. Smooth tan rind—easier to peel than hard-rind types. Vine borer resistant. AAS 1970 UMass. Stores 3-5 months. 85-100 days. Requires 8-12 ft vine spread. Not suitable for small gardens without trellising.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Buttercup' (C. maxima) by the bell shape (versus drum/turban), the smooth tan (versus dark green) rind, the seedless neck portion, and the vine borer resistance. Distinguished from 'Blue Hubbard' by the much smaller size (4-6 versus 12-20 lb) and the smooth (versus bumpy) rind. Waltham Butternut—bell-shaped smooth tan, seedless neck, deep orange, most popular winter squash, vine borer resistant, AAS 1970 UMass.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'3" - 1'6"

Width/Spread8' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Large yellow-orange flowers—male first, then female. Bee pollination essential. Each vine produces 4-6 fruits.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow-orange; large; male and female separate; bee-pollinated

Foliage Description

Dark green; large rounded; on trailing vines; sometimes silver-mottled

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

85-100 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after soil warms to 70°F (21°C). Full sun, well-drained, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Hills with composted manure. Heavy feeder. Days to maturity 85-100 from transplant. More vine borer resistant than C. maxima and C. pepo. Harvest when rind is uniformly tan and cannot be dented with fingernail. Cure 1-2 weeks. Stores 3-5 months at 50-55°F (10-13°C).