Butternut Squash Germination

Location

• Butternut seeds germinate best when planted in an area outside that receives full sun or inside in a south-facing window. Sow the seeds outside after all danger of frost has passed to ensure that the seeds successfully germinate. When starting the seeds of the butternut squash indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots because the plant's root system does not like to be disturbed once established. A peat pot can be planted directly into the soil outside when transplanting. The pot will biodegrade.

Planting

• Plant the seeds in organically rich soil for the highest germination rate. Ensure that the soil drains well. Incorporating a well-balanced fertilizer into the soil also helps butternut squash plants flourish. Butternut squash plants prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Mound the soil into hills that are approximately 3 inches tall prior to planting the seeds. Space each mound of soil 4 to 6 feet apart. Iowa State University Extension suggests planting four to five seeds per mound. Plant the seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch.

Requirements

• Butternut seeds need moisture to germinate. Keep the soil mildly moist, but not overly wet. The seeds germinate in approximately seven to 10 days. The seeds do not germinate in cold weather. Butternut squash seeds require a soil temperature of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit to develop. Once the plant's top growth measures 4 inches tall, thin the seedlings to two to three plants per mound. Butternut plants grow best in a temperature range of 70 to 95 F.

Container Growth

• Butternut squash seeds can also be planted in mid-August to obtain a second harvest before winter begins. The plant grows well when kept in a container. Consider plant two butternut seeds in a pot that measures 30 inches wide and 16 inches deep. Planting two seeds helps guarantee success if one seed fails to grow. Space the seeds at least 4 inches apart and cover with 1 inch of soil. Keep the seeds moist and place the container in a sunny area to ensure germination. Remove one of the seedlings when it reaches 3 inches tall to help guarantee that the remaining seedling has ample room to grow in the pot.