Heirloom

Burgess Buttercup Squash

Cucurbita maxima 'Burgess Buttercup'

A premium winter squash variety prized by gardeners for its exceptional sweet, nutty flavor and vibrant orange flesh that rivals the best sweet potatoes. This reliable heirloom produces dark green, turban-shaped fruits with distinctive gray "caps" that store beautifully through winter months. The dense, dry flesh and outstanding flavor make it the gold standard for pies, soups, and gourmet cooking.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

koo-KER-bih-ta MAKS-ih-muh

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Burgess Buttercup Squash in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Burgess Buttercup Squash · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing6-8 feet

SoilRich, well-drained soil with high organic matter

pH6.0-6.8

Water1-2 inches per week, reduce before harvest

SeasonWarm season

FlavorExtremely sweet, creamy, and rich with nutty undertones

ColorGray-green skin with dark green stripes, bright orange flesh

Size3-5 pounds, 6-8 inches across

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	September – November
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	September – October
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	August – October
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	July – September
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	July – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: koo-KER-bih-ta MAKS-ih-muh. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Soft or hard-shelled berries called pepos come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and are harvested in the fall. The stems of the fruits generally have a soft corky texture compared to other species.

Color: Blue, Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Gray/Silver, Orange, Pink, Red/Burgundy, Variegated, White. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Long-lasting, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Cure freshly harvested Burgess Buttercup in a warm, dry location (80-85°F) for 10-14 days to harden the skin and seal the stem end. After curing, store in a cool, dry place between 50-55°F with good air circulation—a basement, garage, or unheated room works perfectly.

Properly cured fruits will keep 5-8 months, often improving in sweetness during the first few months of storage. Check monthly and use any showing soft spots immediately.

For preservation, the dense, sweet flesh freezes excellently when cooked and pureed—roast halved squash cut-side down at 400°F until tender, then scoop out flesh and freeze in portions. The puree can be canned using tested recipes for winter squash, and dehydrated cubes make excellent additions to soups and stews throughout winter.

History & Origin

Origin: Central and South America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids

Marigolds

Repel cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and nematodes with their strong scent

Radishes

Deter squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, mature before squash spreads

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding squash plants

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and creates beneficial microclimate

Catnip

Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and ants effectively

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide natural windbreak protection

Keep Apart

Potatoes

Compete for space and nutrients, both are heavy feeders requiring similar soil resources

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit squash growth and development

Aromatic herbs (mint, sage)

Strong oils can inhibit squash growth and compete aggressively for root space

Nutrition Facts

Calories

26kcal(1%)

Protein

0.52g(1%)

Carbs

5.64g(2%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.5mg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

205mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168040)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good general disease resistance

Common Pests

Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, vine borers

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Burgess Buttercup squash take to grow?▼

Burgess Buttercup requires 100-110 days from seed to harvest, making it one of the longer-season winter squashes. In areas with shorter growing seasons (zones 6 and cooler), start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost to ensure adequate growing time before fall frosts arrive.

Can you grow Burgess Buttercup squash in containers?▼

While possible, Burgess Buttercup is not ideal for container growing due to its vigorous 10-12 foot vining habit and large root system. If you must grow in containers, use a minimum 30-gallon container with sturdy trellising, but expect reduced yields and smaller fruits compared to ground-grown plants.

What does Burgess Buttercup squash taste like?▼

Burgess Buttercup offers an exceptionally sweet, creamy flavor often compared to sweet potatoes but with additional nutty undertones. The flesh is dense and dry rather than watery, with a smooth, almost custard-like texture when cooked. Its sweetness actually improves during storage, reaching sugar levels comparable to some fruits.

When should I plant Burgess Buttercup squash seeds?▼

Plant Burgess Buttercup seeds directly outdoors when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F and all frost danger has passed. For shorter growing seasons, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Count back 110-120 days from your first expected fall frost to determine your latest safe planting date.

Is Burgess Buttercup squash good for beginners?▼

Burgess Buttercup is moderately challenging for beginners due to its space requirements, long growing season, and need for consistent care. However, it's quite forgiving once established and has good disease resistance. New gardeners with adequate space and patience will find it rewarding, though starting with a more compact winter squash variety might be easier.

How do you know when Burgess Buttercup squash is ripe?▼

Ripe Burgess Buttercup displays full gray-green color with distinct darker stripes, skin hard enough to resist fingernail pressure, and a dried, cork-like stem. The ground spot should be creamy yellow to light orange, not white. The stem will begin naturally separating from the vine when fully mature, typically 100-110 days after planting.