Ceres Winter Squash is a reliable, early maturing butternut for short seasons with a classic butternut shape. We were pleased with our late August harvest- fruits weigh 3 -4 lbs and produce an average of 6 fruits per plant. Plants are vigorous, consistent, and have intermediate resistance to powdery mildew.

15 seeds

PLANTING

Cucurbitamoschata

Germination:7-10 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 70-85F

Seed Sowing Depth:1/2-1″ deep

Sowing Indoors:3-4 weeks before the last frost.Provide70-85Fsoil temperature.Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot.Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces rootdamage when transplanting. Transplant after the last frost, 36-48″ apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Sow after the last frostwhen the soil temperature is over70F.Sow a few seeds every 36-48″.

How much does a packet plant:12-15foot 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 50-55F temperatures and 50-65% humidity.

Tips: Plant Ceres Butternut 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.