Winter Squash Seeds,
Butternut Rogosa Violina Gioia

Plant Rogosa Violina Gioia after the last frost has passed when soil temperatures are consistently above 65-70 F. In most regions, this means sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings in late spring to early summer. If starting seeds indoors, do so 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost​. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Direct sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep in small hills or mounds spaced 4 feet apart. For best results, plant 2-3 seeds per hill and thin to the strongest seedling. This variety has a vining habit, so ensure there's ample space—vines can grow up to 15 feet long. Alternatively, you can train the vines to grow vertically on trellises to save space and improve air circulation​.

Maintain consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Avoid watering the foliage to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Feeding the plants with a balanced fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium every few weeks during the growing season can boost fruit development. Consider using drip irrigation to keep the soil evenly moist​.

• There are four different species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
• If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
• Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
• Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
• Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
• Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.