1 Organic Butternut Pumpkin Waltham Plant in a 80mm biodegradable peat pot.
This plant is grown from Organic Pumpkin Seed, potted in Organic Mineralised Nutrient Rich (Blood bone and fish free (vg)) Compost Soil, Fertilised with Compost (vg), Worm castings (poop) and Kelp Powder (read more about the soil).
The pot reduces plastic waste and transplant shock (I commit to zero waste where I can, everything is recycled or reused or upcycled). There is no transplanting required, plant directly into the soil in its pot.
Plant into compost in direct sunlight.
Butternut Pumpkin Waltham
Cucurbita moschata
Small pear shaped fruit, with pale skin and orange flesh growing up to 25cm or 2kg. Excellent flavour; sweet and nutty. Small seed cavity. Stores well.
Winter squashes (Cucurbita spp.) are warm season tender annuals in the Cucurbitiacea family, which includes cucumbers, summer squash, melons, and gourds.
Plants need loose, fertile, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter and nitrogen and a pH 5.8-6.8. Fertilize seedlings with fish emulsion if leaves yellow.
Harvest when fruits are full size and have a deep rich color and hard rinds that can’t be easily dented with a finger nail. Changing color of the “ground spot” from yellow to cream, gold or orange is another general indicator of ripeness. To harvest, cut stem at least 2” from the fruit: a short or broken stem can lead to rot. Cure after harvest by keeping in a warm, dry location for a few days then
Store at 50-55°F with 55-75% relative humidity and good air circulation. Delicata and acorn squash do not need curing, but will not store as long as other varieties.
Bury or compost plant residues at the end of the season.
Powdery mildew can be checked by providing good air circulation. Give plants wide spacing and eliminate weeds, especially milkweed, marshcress and yellowrocket. Choose resistant varieties.
Fruit rots such as anthracnose, scab, and fusarium fruit rot are common under wet conditions. Space plants apart, avoid wetting foliage and water early in the day so that leaves can dry.