For Russian summer residents, Barrernut pumpkin is no longer a novelty, although this variety appeared here relatively recently. The vegetable has gained popularity for its taste, which is different from traditional pumpkin. Butternut is also called butternut squash because when tasting, you can clearly detect notes of nutmeg. The seeds of the plant are marked F1 on the package, which indicates that the plant is a hybrid. This variety was developed by American breeders.
Description of the variety and distinctive features of Butternut pumpkin
Pumpkin got its name due to its unusual taste for this vegetable crop . It resembles nut butter (from English butternut translates as “butter nut”). That’s why the vegetable is also called “nut pumpkin.”
The Butternut variety is early ripening. After planting by seed, the harvest is harvested within 90 days , and by seedlings even faster. In the middle zone, experienced vegetable growers recommend growing Butternut seedlings, and in the south, already in early June, the seeds are thrown directly into the ground.
Pictured is a Butternut pumpkin.
Fruit characteristics and yield
The fruits of the Butternut variety are pear-shaped, also reminiscent of a guitar . The color of the pumpkin, depending on the degree of its ripening, varies from yellowish-orange to pink-orange. The peel is thin but hard. The average weight of one pumpkin is about 1.5 kg, the maximum is 3-4 kg.
The pulp is light orange in color (pale), sweet with a nutmeg and nutty flavor and aroma, the texture is loose and juicy . All seeds are concentrated in the lower (wide) part of the fruit.
Important. Butternut pumpkin has a high yield. In favorable climatic conditions and with proper care, up to 15 kg of fruits can be harvested from one medium-sized bush. On average, one plant produces from 5 to 15 pumpkins.
About seedlings
Since nutmeg pumpkins are late-ripening pumpkins, they have to be grown through seedlings. Seeds extracted from an Israeli pumpkin were heated for a month on a central heating radiator. After this procedure, theoretically, they should produce more female flowers in the first wave of flowering.
The plants planted on the ridge quickly took root. There were no frosts in May last year, so they immediately began to grow and branched out greatly. The scourges are short, no more than 2 m.
The leaves are dense, on rather short petioles, and small. The plants were in no hurry to bloom. As I understand it, they were waiting for the white nights to go away and the days to shorten. The first flowers appeared in the last ten days of July. First for men, and after a week - for women. I pollinated them by hand.
When planting, the distance between the bushes was 80 cm. In my opinion, it turned out to be too spacious. I think this distance could be reduced to 60 cm, then the pumpkins would be small.
The largest fruits weighed 2 kg, the smallest - 1.1-1.2 kg. Unripened specimens ripened at home, where they are still stored. Their flesh is deep orange, non-fibrous, very sweet, and has a pleasant aroma.
A small chamber with seeds is located in the rounded part of the fruit. The peel is dense, but very thin, easy to cut with a knife. Perhaps in more fertile soil than my leafy bed, the pumpkins would have turned out larger. In any case, I think there is no need to strive to make the soil for pumpkins very fertile, then the pumpkins will not be large.
Now I know that it is necessary to cover a heap or bed in advance, even in the snow or in the fall, so that by the time the seedlings are planted, the earth under the film has warmed up. Then it will be possible to plant seedlings much earlier. In case of night frosts, it is easy to cover the seedlings - after all, the soil is warm.
True, in the case of the Israeli pumpkin variety, it is unlikely that it will be possible to gain time, because it will still wait for long nights to bloom.
How to grow
Butternut pumpkin is a heat-loving plant . Let us remind you that you can plant it in the ground with seeds only in the southern regions, where there are no frosts in mid-autumn. In the middle zone and northern regions, the seedling method is used.
Seed preparation
First of all, pumpkin seeds are heated . Do this for 1-2 months near a heating device or stove. Warming up increases the chances of getting more female flowers, and therefore a good harvest. Then the planting material is prepared.
Preparation consists of a number of activities:
- Seed selection . Empty seeds are discarded at this stage. To determine whether the seeds are empty or not, they are placed in a salt solution. Those that do not drown are empty and not suitable for planting.
- Hardening . The seed, wrapped in a damp cloth, is kept in the refrigerator for three days. This helps the seedlings adapt more quickly to weather changes.
- Disinfection . Before planting, the seeds are soaked for 10 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or water with aloe juice.
Planting by seeds
To plant seeds early, warm beds of compost or manure are prepared in the fall . Immediately make holes and fill them with fertile soil. When the beds are ready, they are covered with transparent polyethylene. This allows biofuel to begin heating the soil as early as March.
In mid-May, pre-sprouted seeds can already be planted in holes to a depth of 2-3 cm . In this case, the film is not removed, but holes are made in it above the hole.
Important! If frosts are still expected, the beds must be covered with film.
Seedling
Seeds are planted for seedlings in early May . Most gardeners use special pots with nutritious soil. Seedlings require regular moisture, but excessive moisture should be avoided. The pots with seeds are covered with film, creating a greenhouse effect, but ventilation must be provided periodically.
Landing
It is better to plant seedlings in loamy soil in the sunny part of the garden . The recommended distance between the beds is 0.6-0.7 m. The optimal period for planting seedlings in the ground is the beginning of June, when frosts are no longer expected.
Preparing the bed
Any site is not suitable for growing Butternut. The soil at the planting site should be nutritious, the area protected from the wind and sunny. In the fall, you need to dig up the selected area and apply the necessary fertilizers.
If you plan for your pumpkin or seedlings to start growing quickly, you need to plant it only in well-warmed soil. If the roots of the plant are kept in the cold, this will negatively affect the development of the pumpkin or completely destroy it.
You can warm up the soil yourself using:
- Manure;
- Grass or hay;
- Transparent film.
The most common option remains the use of polyethylene. With it, you can easily create a greenhouse effect and the soil will have time to warm up deeply. There is a misconception that black film will help warm the soil faster, but you don’t need to believe it.
Care
Butternut is not as capricious a variety as it is described . It doesn't require much time or effort. However, there are some nuances in caring for this vegetable.
Watering and mulching
Watering plays a special role in growing butternut squash . Experienced vegetable growers combine it with weeding the beds and loosening the soil. The soil is regularly loosened to avoid the formation of a crust, which prevents the penetration of air and moisture to the roots of the plant. During the second loosening, about a month after the emergence of mass shoots, it is important to remove all weeds and carefully arrange the growing vines of the plant.
After female flowers have appeared on the plant and ovaries have formed, it is watered at least three times a month . In August, watering is reduced, which allows already formed fruits to accumulate sugar content and form the most durable crust.
Attention! Watering must be stopped after the fruits reach the size of a small apple, otherwise the pumpkin will be watery.
The soil under the bushes is additionally mulched with straw, hay or construction sand . They do this to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. To regulate soil moisture, it is good to use vermiculite or coconut briquettes.
Feeding
During flowering and the formation of a large number of ovaries, it is important to feed the plant . It is correct to do this simultaneously with irrigation measures. Apply mineral fertilizers to feed the pumpkin carefully. And they must be alternated with organic fertilizers (chicken droppings or cow manure diluted in water).
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Enriching the soil with wood ash gives good results . Herbal infusions, including nettle, will also be beneficial.
Important! Pumpkin does not like acidic soil. Therefore, after applying organic fertilizers that increase acidity, wood ash is added. It is introduced during watering (take 2 cups of ash per bucket of water) or sprinkled on top.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Since Butternut pumpkin is a heat-loving southern plant, it is important to observe the temperature regime . For active growth and development, the air temperature during the day should be at least +25°C, and at night - at least +15°C.
There are a number of other features in growing Butternut pumpkin:
- This variety is also demanding on lighting. It should be planted in the sunniest place in an area protected from northern winds.
- The climbing variety requires a larger area when grown horizontally. Therefore, sometimes this variety is planted near the southern wall of the house, setting up a trellis there.
- To fill the ovaries, Butternut requires regular watering. With a lack of water, the vegetable grows and bears fruit poorly.
Growing tips from experienced gardeners
Growing a plant and subsequently caring for it has its own characteristics. Experienced vegetable growers already know them, so to get a good harvest of Butternut pumpkin they recommend :
- Plant the plant after legumes or cruciferous plants.
- During the entire growing season, carry out two feedings. The first - in the phase of two leaves, after weeding. The second - in the phase of four leaves.
- Promptly remove faded flowers that cause rotting of cuttings, stems and fruits.
- Leave only two lashes on each plant.
- Pick off the fruits, leaving only 2-3 pumpkins on one vine.
Diseases and pests
An important point in caring for any plant is protection from diseases and pests . To prevent infection, the plant should be watered on time, weeds should be removed and the soil should be loosened in a timely manner. Before planting, it is important to fertilize the soil with natural fertilizers.
Important! The most dangerous pests for this variety are spider mites and aphids. The only remedy for them is timely watering and removal of diseased leaves. The plant cannot be treated with chemicals.
Harvesting and application
The pumpkin reaches full maturity 90 days after the formation of seedlings . The harvest is usually harvested in September on dry, warm days, without waiting for frost.
Butternut pumpkin fruits should be cut with a small stalk (about 5 cm) . Then they will ripen and last longer. Butternut is a winter variety: if stored properly, it will last until spring without loss of taste.
Important! When harvesting, the main thing is to catch it before the first frost. When grown in unfavorable climatic conditions, the fruits are harvested unripe. However, you shouldn’t pick pumpkins too early either - the crust should harden. Otherwise, the vegetable will rot.
Application
In America, butternut squash is the most popular vegetable . It is grown for different purposes. Large pumpkins are used as feed for livestock and poultry. Medium-sized fruits - for making juices, purees and canned products. This variety is consumed both in heat-treated and raw form.
All over the world, butternut squash is used to prepare porridges, puree soups, casseroles and pancakes. The vegetable is used in meat and pasta dishes . Due to the small size of the fruit, it can be baked whole or stuffed with vegetables/meat, creating exquisite culinary masterpieces. The juicy pulp is also consumed fresh – as part of slices and vegetable salads. Dessert dishes are also prepared from Butternut: puddings, pastries, cakes, candied fruits.
Unusual vegetable butternut will help you lose weight
Recipe for roasting whole pumpkin in the oven:
- To prepare this dish, only small fruits weighing no more than 1 kg are suitable.
- The vegetable is cut lengthwise into two halves, the seeds are removed and placed in a baking dish or on a baking sheet, skin side down.
- Sprinkle the pumpkin on top with cinnamon and place in the oven at 180 degrees for about half an hour.
- The finished dish can be greased with a piece of butter.
How to store
Before the onset of cold weather, the pumpkin is stored on a closed balcony or in another dry room . When the night temperature begins to drop below +5ºC, the fruits are transferred to a warmer place. You can store vegetables in an apartment, but the optimal storage temperature is from +4 to +8ºC.
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Beneficial features
The “inner world” of a pumpkin is rich and varied. The pulp contains many substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body: vitamins A, K, E, ascorbic and folic acids, potassium, selenium, zinc, magnesium, etc. The benefits of the fruit are invaluable for the health of the liver, intestines, eyes, and cardiovascular system. , immunity. Here are the benefits of regularly eating pumpkin:
- the risk of stroke is reduced;
- peristalsis improves;
- the body quickly gets rid of toxins and harmful compounds;
- strengthens bone tissue, which prevents osteoporosis;
- high blood pressure returns to normal;
- The immune system more actively resists viral diseases.
The vegetable is useful for people who suffer from cataracts and thyroid problems. Raw pumpkin and dishes made from it prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and cancer cells. The beneficial substances in the pulp help fight irritability and regulate mood swings. Butternut pumpkin will be a delicacy for children and pregnant women.
A complete set of components makes the vegetable the best friend of young, beautiful skin and healthy hair. It partially prevents the formation of age spots, wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Thanks to pumpkin, hair becomes shiny, less split and covered with white flakes of dandruff. Various scrubs, masks for hair and facial skin are often prepared from the pulp.
By the way. Pumpkin is low in calories. Dishes made from it are dietary, but nutritious.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Butternut pumpkin has many advantages over other varieties popular in our country.
Its fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body. Therefore, it is suitable for baby and diet food. Among the advantages of Butternut :
- high productivity;
- early ripeness (approximately 80 days after planting, the pumpkin can be eaten);
- easy to pollinate - no need for artificial pollination;
- versatility in preparation, the ability to eat raw fruits;
- unique taste and aroma;
- small mass of fruits (up to 4 kg, and on average 1.5 kg), which allows you to consume the entire vegetable at once;
- thin peel, which makes peeling the vegetable easier;
- a small number of seeds concentrated only in the lower part of the fruit;
- long storage period without loss of vitamins.
Butternut has practically no disadvantages . All the plant needs is proper watering and proper care.
Farmer reviews
There are more positive reviews about the Butternut variety than negative ones .
Farmers appreciated both the taste of the pumpkin and its yield. In addition, gardeners highlight a number of other advantages of this crop. Here are a few reviews from vegetable growers from different parts of our country: Svetlana, Stavropol Territory : “This year my husband and I tried to grow butternut squash on our plot for the first time.
We were quite pleased with the result. Of course, on the one hand, this variety is very capricious, but on the other hand, it stores well and grows small. This allows you to prepare a dish from all the vegetables at once - good advantages for us.” Sergey, Kemerovo region : “I grew a pretty decent crop of Butternuts at the dacha. I really liked the unusual taste. I eat it both raw and cooked, and I plan to plant a little more of it next year, because it stores well.”
Nikolay, Novosibirsk region : “I spend every summer at the dacha, so growing such a high-maintenance variety has not become a problem for me. I would rather recommend it to experienced gardeners for planting, since caring for the plant requires certain experience and knowledge.”
Using Butternut in Cooking
Butternut squash is one of the few products of the Pumpkin family that can be eaten raw. A recipe for vitamin salad based on pumpkin (300 g), apples (200 g) and liquid linden or acacia honey (100 ml) is popular with housewives.
Butternut retains most of its nutritional and beneficial properties during heat treatment. Therefore, the product can be used for preparing casseroles, first courses, side dishes and warm snacks. Don't forget about the beneficial and medicinal properties of nutritious pumpkin juice.
Butternut pumpkin is famous for its high yield and ease of care. Even a novice gardener can cope with growing this fruit crop.
