Honeynut Winter Squash (110 Days)

Petite gourmet butternut squash with a delectable flavor. Honeynut winter squash is even smaller than the Butterscotch and Butterbaby varieties. The golden honey colored skin is thin, like a delicata, and the smooth, tender, starchy flesh has a natural sweetness, more than other butternuts. When roasted, it intensifies into a flavorful, caramelized personal-sized vessel of deliciousness. The distinctive skin color ripens in the last few weeks on the vine; mature green fruits will also turn in storage. Size- 2 ½ “ wide by 4-5” long, ½- 1 ½ lbs. 

15 seeds

PLANTING

Cucurbita moschata

Germination: 7-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant after the last frost, 36-48" apart. 

Sowing Outdoors: Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48". 

How much does a packet plant: 12-15 foot single row, 3-5 hills

Harvest: Before heavy frost. Determine ripeness when the skin has turned color and becomes dull and dry. You will be unable to create a dent when pressing your thumbnail into it. Leave two inches of the stem on the squash and manage carefully so no damage can shorten storage life. Cure for 7-10 days in the sun to harden the rind and increase storage quality. Wipe any debris off the skin before storing it in a cool, dark place with 50-55ºF temperatures and 50-65% humidity.

Tips: Plant HOneynut winter squash in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.