1# WALTHAM BUTTERNUT SQUASH SE

Blue Hubbard Squash (Cucurbita maxima) is a classic heirloom winter squash prized for its exceptional flavor, dense flesh, and outstanding storage life. It’s a favorite among serious gardeners, cooks, and homesteaders.

🎃 Variety Overview

• Type: Winter squash (heirloom)

• Fruit Size: 12–40 lb (commonly 15–25 lb)

• Shape: Teardrop to elongated with pointed end

• Color: Blue‑gray rind

• Days to Maturity: ~100–120 days

• Vine Habit: Large running vines (15–20+ feet)

• Use: Baking, roasting, soup, purée, freezing, storage squash

✅ Why Grow Blue Hubbard

• Exceptional eating quality—sweet, rich, and smooth

• Very thick, deep orange flesh

• Extremely long storage life (some of the best among squash)

• Vigorous plants and reliable yields

• Heirloom variety—seed can be saved

Blue Hubbard is often considered a gold standard winter squash for flavor.

🌤️ Growing Conditions

• Season: Warm‑season crop

• Sun: Full sun (8+ hours)

• Soil: Rich, well‑drained soil with lots of organic matter

• Soil pH: 6.0–6.8

• Frost Sensitive: Yes

⚠️ Needs a long growing season and ample space.

🌱 Planting Instructions

• When to Plant:

  • After last frost once soil is ≥65°F

• How to Plant:

  • Depth: 1 inch

  • Spacing: 4–6 feet between plants

  • Rows: 8–10 feet apart

🌱 Tip: Plant in compost‑amended hills. Large vines benefit from extra fertility early on.

💧 Care & Feeding

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

• Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds

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

• Allow fruits to mature fully on the vine for best flavor and storage

🎃 Harvesting

• Harvest before hard frost when rind is hard and dull (not shiny)

• Color should be a uniform blue‑gray

• Cut fruit with 3–4 inches of stem attached

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

❄️ Storage

• Stores 6–8 months or longer at 50–55°F with good airflow

• Flavor improves after 1–2 months of storage

• One of the best squash for winter eating

🍴 Cooking Quality

• Flesh is very dense, smooth, and sweet

• Excellent for:

  • Baking and roasting

  • Squash soup and bisque

  • Mashed squash

  • Freezing and purée

⚠️ Hard rind—use a sturdy knife and careful technique when cutting.

🌿 Companion Plants

• Corn

• Beans

• Nasturtiums

(Avoid potatoes.)