Honeynut Squash

Honeynut is a personal-sized butternut squash developed through Cornell’s vegetable breeding work. Its compact but spreading vine produces small winter squash that ripen from dark green to caramel, giving a visible cue as the fruit matures. [Cornell](https://ctl.cornell.edu/plant-varieties-catalog/vegetables/) describes the cultivar and its ripening color change. ## Fruit and harvest The small fruits have sweet orange flesh and are convenient for one or two servings. PanAmerican Seed lists a mature height of 8–12 inches and a spread of 84–120 inches, so leave room for the long vine or train it onto sturdy support. Harvest after the full growing season when the rind has reached its mature caramel color. ## Growing conditions Choose a sunny, in-ground location with fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants according to the seed supplier’s directions and keep vines from covering neighboring crops. Cornell notes that Honeynut develops its best flavor one to two months after harvest. ## Maintenance Keep soil evenly moist during active growth and avoid waterlogged ground. Check leaves and developing fruit regularly, and handle mature squash carefully during harvest and curing.