Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash
Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima
Description
95 days. In pursuit of a great tasting buttercup squash, we decided to try Burgess because of its Great Lakes roots and we were definitely pleased with our choice. Buttercup squashes belong to the species Cucurbita maxima, originating in South America and domesticated by Native Americans. Buttercup squashes are known for their sweet, nutty, dense and flaky meat. This particular variety was introduced in 1932 by Burgess Seed & Plant Co. of Bloomington, IL. The mature squash are dark green, medium sized (5 - 8” diameter, 3 - 5 lbs.), with deep orange flesh. Rind is thin yet hard and sometimes develops warts (these will not affect the quality of the squash). High yielding. Plants are vining and grow well in a “three sisters” planting (see Growing Instructions tab). Terrific baked, Burgess Buttercup’s flesh is rich and nutty like chestnuts! Add a lil’ bit of butter for a warm, velvety treat. Stores well under good conditions. CC
Growing
Growing Instructions (for USDA Zone 5b):
Winter squashes are grown during the summer but can be stored during the winter. Burgess Buttercup is a vining squash so allow plenty of space for them to grow. Direct sow seeds outdoors (1/2-1” deep) around June 1st (space 4’ apart). Days to germination: 4-10. As with all cucurbits, squash plants do not like their roots disturbed during transplanting so if starting seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots. Start seeds indoors May 1st – ideal temperature for germination is 85°- 95° (use heating mat). Squash seedlings are sensitive to damping off fungus so keep seeds on the drier side and use a fan (set to low) to provide air circulation. Once 2 leaves appear, grow plants at 72°. Do not let plants become potbound. Transplant (pot and all) outdoors around June 1st, spaced 4’ apart. Squash like soil with a lot of organic matter so add compost and/or decomposed manure to soil prior to planting. Protect seedlings from cucumber beetles and squash bugs by covering seeds/seedlings with row cover fabric at planting and leave it on until plants are flowering. Protect squash plants from deer and groundhogs.
Harvest:
Allow squash to mature as much as possible on the vine before frost threatens. The skin should be so hard that you can’t push a fingernail into it.
Seed Saving Instructions (for gardeners):
Burgess Buttercup belongs to the species Cucurbita maxima and will cross (by insect) with all other Cucurbita maxima squashes (including hubbard, marrow, and other buttercups). Isolation distance is ½ mile (or you can save seed and see what you get!). Minimum population size: 6-25 plants (but you can save seed from fewer plants if the seeds are for your own use). Always select seeds from the best plants. Scoop out seeds from mature squash, rinse and dry seeds.
Seed Stories
Buttercup squash was developed by Albert Yeager at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and introduced commercially in 1931. Yeager wanted to develop a substitute for Sweet Potato that would grow in Northern climates and selected an off-type from a patch of Quality Squash, probably pollinated by Essex Hybrid (itself a stabilized cross of the Hubbard and American Turban). Extensive tests on baking quality and dry matter content were performed at the North Dakota College of Agriculture and Buttercup came out on top.
The Burgess strain of Buttercup is named for the Burgess Seed and Plant Company of Galesburg, MI which later relocated to Bloomington, IL.
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