Pruning Butternut squash

iberian 8/4/2013, 6:36 pm

I have some Butternut squash plants that I am growing up a trellis that arches between the ends of two 4 x 12 beds. The plants seem to be doing very well. But some of the them are sending out additional vines that spill over the side of the beds (along with a lot of leaves) and are kind of getting in my way.

If I trim these back these extra vines, will it give me more or better squash on the trellis?

Or if my goal is just to have as much squash as possible, is it better to leave them alone?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

**camprn** 8/10/2013, 8:43 am

I think that controlling the side growth, either by redirection or pruning is essential in the SFG. Mostly I would want to preventing choking out of the other vegetables.

Ideally for maximum fruit yield you want to retain as much foliage as possible.

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/expo/proceedings/2011/Vine%20Crops/Maximizing%20Yield%20and%20Eating%20Quality%20in%20Winter%20Squash%2011.pdf


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Pruning Butternut squash

Pruning Butternut squash

Re: Pruning Butternut squash