Cucurbita moschata 'Hawk'
squash (butternut) 'Hawk'
A British-bred butternut squash, producing roughly bell-shaped fruits on trailing vines in excess of 1.8m (6ft) long. The small, smooth, pale orange, hard-skinned fruits, can be ready to harvest from early autumn into late autumn, making it ideally suited for growing in the shorter UK climate. They store well once ripe and have sweet, bright orange flesh with a nutty taste. They can reach around 700g (approximately (1½lbs) in weight.
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | Orange | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun. Sow indoors March to May in good quality seed compost. Sow the seeds on their side 1cm deep and maintain a constant temperature of 18-21C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. See cucurbit cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews
Get involved
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