Waltham Butternut Squash Seeds Vilmorin - 1.5 to 2 kg Fruit, Long Keeping

The Waltham Butternut Squash Seed Packet Vilmorin (Reference: 3486742) represents the very best of French vegetable seed. This emblematic variety, developed by the Vilmorin teams, has established itself as an essential benchmark for every lover of genuine squash. Certified for its genetic quality and its optimal germinating capacity, this seed guarantees reliable results and incomparable flavour.

Uses and benefits of Waltham Butternut squash

This butternut squash is for beginner gardeners and market gardeners alike who want a productive, reliable variety. With squashes weighing between 1.5 and 2 kg, it offers the ideal size for larger families and for varied cooking. Its bright orange flesh, of exceptionally velvety texture, develops sweet, fragrant aromas that will delight every palate.

Waltham Butternut excels in many culinary preparations: creamy soups, smooth velvet soups, melting purées, tasty gratins, sweet or savoury tarts, and even crisp chips to serve with drinks. Its versatility makes it an essential vegetable of autumn and winter cooking, bringing vitamins A and C and dietary fibre to a balanced diet.

Technical features and varietal characteristics

The Waltham Butternut Squash belongs to the species Cucurbita moschata, known for its robustness and adaptability. This variety develops vigorous trailing stems that can spread over 3 to 4 metres, so it needs a growing space of at least 2 m² per plant. The fruit has a characteristic club shape, with a beige to light brown skin and deep orange flesh.

Vilmorin seeds receive quality handling that guarantees a high germination rate and even growth. Maturity comes between 110 and 120 days after sowing, allowing harvests from September-October. This squash has excellent disease resistance against the common cucurbit problems, as well as a remarkable tolerance of swings in the weather.

Sowing, growing and production techniques

Sowing Waltham Butternut Squash is best done from mid-April to mid-May, depending on the region, once the risk of frost has passed. In cooler regions, sowing in pots under cover from March lets you get ahead. The seeds go in at 2-3 cm deep, with 1.5 to 2 metres between each plant to allow the stems to develop fully.

This squash likes rich, well-drained soils, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A generous dressing of compost or well-rotted manure before planting encourages vigorous growth. A sunny position is essential, with at least 6 hours of sun a day. Regular but moderate watering is needed, keeping the foliage dry to prevent fungal disease.

Harvesting takes place when the skin has hardened and sounds hollow when tapped with the knuckles. It is essential to harvest before the first frosts, leaving 3-4 cm of stalk on each fruit to get the best keeping quality.

Expert advice and companion planting

To get the biggest squashes, use the layering technique: cover sections of the trailing stems with soil from time to time to encourage them to put out new roots. This method significantly increases the plant's nutrition and therefore the size of the fruit. Keep to 2-3 fruits per plant to get squashes of the best size.

Growing it alongside legumes (beans, peas) supplies the nitrogen it needs naturally, while radishes or lettuces can occupy the space between the young plants. Avoid planting near potatoes, which share some of the same pests. A generous mulch around the plants keeps the soil cool and limits weed growth.

For the best keeping, which can reach 8 to 12 months, store the squashes somewhere dry and airy at a steady temperature between 10 and 15°C. Check the fruit regularly and eat first any that show signs of softening. Round out your vegetable garden with our specialist organic fertilisers and our McCulloch garden tools for professional-grade upkeep.

Technical specifications