Victory, butternut squash
1g approx 10 seeds per packet
C. moschata. Victory Early Butternut squash was bred for speed, so it matures much earlier than the others. It's the top choice for any short-season garden, producing before the onset of cold weather. The fruits are medium sized at around 18cm (7") long, each weighing around 1.2kg (2.5 lbs). The flesh is fine and richly flavoured, without a lot of fibres. Avoid overhead watering with squash plants to delay the arrival of powdery mildew in late summer. Plant in rich, fertile soil in full sun and give each plant lots of room to grow in.
Matures in 88 days. (Hybrid seeds)
Earliest butternut
Rich, fine flesh
Best for short season growers
Hybrid seeds
Matures in 88 days
We transplant in late spring once the soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors during the first two weeks of May. Optimal soil temperature: 25-35°C (77-95°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days.
Starting
Sow seeds 2cm (1″) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Give winter squash and pumpkins room with a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48″) apart in rows 120-180cm (48-72″) apart.