RE: Don't Throw Away Butternut Squash Shoots. I Made This Simple Recipe

I prune new branches within the first two weeks after planting, though the timing is adjusted based on when the plants begin to fruit. For butternut squash, fruit formation typically starts 3–4 weeks after planting, so I stop pruning the branches at the three-week mark. Pruning improves air circulation and helps prevent pests from settling in dense foliage.