1# BURGESS BUTTERCUP SQUASH SE

Burgess Buttercup Squash (Cucurbita maxima ‘Burgess Buttercup’) is a classic winter squash celebrated for its exceptionally sweet, dry, and richly flavored flesh. It’s widely considered one of the best-tasting squash varieties for cooking.

🎃 Variety Overview

• Type: Winter squash

• Fruit Size: 3–5 lb

• Shape: Flattened globe with a distinctive “button” (turban) on the blossom end

• Color: Dark green rind with lighter green striping

• Days to Maturity: ~95–105 days

• Vine Habit: Running vines (10–15+ feet)

• Use: Baking, roasting, soups, purée, freezing

✅ Why Grow Burgess Buttercup

• Outstanding sweet, nutty flavor

• Dry, smooth flesh—excellent for baking

• Consistently rated among the best winter squash for eating

• Stores extremely well

• Open‑pollinated (seed can be saved)

This is a top choice for gardeners who care more about flavor than size or looks.

🌤️ Growing Conditions

• Season: Warm‑season crop

• Sun: Full sun (8+ hours)

• Soil: Fertile, well‑drained soil rich in organic matter

• Soil pH: 6.0–6.8

• Frost Sensitive: Yes

🌱 Planting Instructions

• When to Plant:

  • After last frost, once soil is ≥65°F

• How to Plant:

  • Depth: 1 inch

  • Spacing: 3–4 feet between plants

  • Rows: 6–8 feet apart

🌱 Tip: Plant in raised hills amended with compost for best drainage and vigorous growth.

💧 Care & Feeding

• Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruit fill

• Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

• Feed with balanced fertilizer early; reduce nitrogen once fruits set

• Allow fruits to mature fully on the vine for best sweetness

🎃 Harvesting

• Harvest before hard frost when rind is hard and deep green

• The “button” should be firm and well defined

• Cut fruit with 2–3 inches of stem attached

• Cure for 10–14 days in a warm, dry place

❄️ Storage

• Stores 3–6 months at 50–55°F with good ventilation

• Flavor actually improves after several weeks of storage

🍴 Cooking Quality

• Flesh is deep orange, dry, and very sweet

• Ideal for:

  • Baked squash halves

  • Mashed squash

  • Soups and bisques

  • Freezing and purée

Many consider it superior to acorn and comparable—or better than—butternut.

🌿 Companion Plants

• Corn

• Beans

• Nasturtiums

(Avoid planting near potatoes.)