Description
Burgess Buttercup Squash Seeds (Winter Type) 2255.
Classic 1930s Heirloom Winter Squash with Rich, Sweet, Fibreless Orange Flesh.
Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima) is a renowned heirloom variety introduced around 1930, widely considered one of the best-tasting winter squashes available. Producing manageable fruits weighing 1.5 to 2.0 kg, this variety features dark green skin with faint grey striping and subtle mottling. Depending on growing conditions, the squashes vary in shape from boxy and flattened to turban-like or acorn-shaped. Inside, the thick, brilliant orange flesh is remarkably sweet, dry, and fibreless, making it ideal for baking, roasting, steaming, and making creamy soups.
Quick Seed Details
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Product Code: 2255
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Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima ‘Burgess Buttercup’
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Type: Open-Pollinated Heirloom Winter Squash
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Fruit Weight: 1.5–2.0 kg
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Plant Spacing: Space hills 2.4 m apart
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Light Requirement: Full Sun
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Soil Preference: Deep, rich, organic, well-draining soil (pH 5.5–6.5)
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Germination: 7–10 days in warm soil
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Seed Depth: 2.5 cm deep
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Seed Count: Approx. 25 seeds per packet (10–12 seeds per gram)
What you need to know to Plant & Grow
Squash are heat-loving crops that thrive in full sun with organic-rich soil and careful transplanting to protect sensitive roots.
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Direct Sowing (Recommended): Direct sow seeds outdoors from late May to mid-June once soil temperatures have warmed. Plant seeds 2.5 cm deep in hills spaced 2.4 m apart, placing 4 to 6 seeds per hill. Thin to the 3 strongest seedlings per hill after emergence.
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Indoor Starting: In shorter-season regions, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before outdoor planting. Sow directly into paper, fibre, or peat pots to prevent root disturbance during transplanting.
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Soil Preparation & Care: Amend garden beds with generous amounts of rich compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
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Harvesting & Storage: Harvest mature squash before the first hard autumn frost when the rind becomes hard and dull. Leave a short stem section attached. Cured fruits store exceptionally well in a cool, dry location for winter eating.
Why Burgess Buttercup Squash Seeds belong in Your Garden
If you want an easy-to-grow heirloom winter squash that delivers unbeatable flavor and smooth, fibreless texture, Burgess Buttercup is a time-tested choice. Its convenient fruit size, excellent keeping quality, and rich, sweet taste make it a staple for Canadian home gardens and autumn kitchens.
