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Butternut Squash Takes Over the Garden

My husband brought home a butternut squash for me to cook. We liked it so much that we saved the seeds to plant in the spring. We thought growing butternut squash would be just like growing other types of squash. We have grown zucchini and other types of squash with good results.

We were not sure how many seeds to plant. Butternut squash is really delicious. We wanted to have some to give away. My husband thought we should plant a few extra seeds in case some did not sprout. And our dogs might accidentally step on a plant or two. We planted about twenty seeds to play it safe.

We were so happy when the little squash plants started to come up. So many seeds sprouted that we gave a few of the little butternut squash plants away.

We did not realize how fast butternut squash vines grow or how big the plants get. The butternut squash quickly took over our garden. Then, the vines took over our grass area. We tried trimming the vines back. The butternut squash vines seemed to enjoy a little trimming and grew even faster.

The butternut squash vines grew up and through the fence. They grew into the pool area. They swallowed the pool equipment. We were getting a lot of squash from our plants. We did not realize that one seed could produce twenty-five butternut squash. We were harvesting ten or more squash per day. We gave butternut squash to all our friends, relatives, and neighbors. We were running out of people to give the squash to.

Our house sits next to a church with a lot of members. We started sitting outside on Sundays with a large basket of squash. When people were leaving the church, we asked them if they wanted some butternut squash.

Now, when we give away our butternut squash we warn people about planting the seeds. We tell people that one seed can produce twenty-five butternut squash. And if you plant too many seeds, the vines could take over the city.

Learn more about this author, Linda Shortell.
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