Summer Squash

Latest stories

More stories

  • in Plant, Seed Starting, Seed Starting Specific Crops

    Summer Squash and Zucchini Seed Starting Tips

    Seedling Zucchini

    by

    Summer squashes are tender, warm-weather crops. Summer squashes include crookneck, pattypan, straightneck, scallop, vegetable marrow, and zucchini. Sow summer squash indoors 4 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost in spring. Sow summer squash outdoors when the soil temperature has warmed to 70°F (21°C). Protect squash in the garden from cool temperatures with row […] More

  • in Guides, Pests Diseases Problems

    Squash Growing Problems: Troubleshooting

    Squash plant large leaves1

    by

    Squash growing success will come with a few simple growing strategies: • Plant several squash plants. This will ensure at least one is successful and survives pests and diseases. Stagger planting times or plant seed and transplants at the same time for continuous harvest. • Give squash the space recommended. Check spacing requirements for each […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables

    Patty Pan or Scallop Squash

    Squash yellow pattypan

    by

    Patty pan or scallop squash is a small, saucer-shaped warm-season squash that usually grows to no more than 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Patty pan squashes look something like a toy top. They can be white to creamy colored or various shades of green or yellow. Patty pans are less moist than other summer […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables

    Costata Romanesca Squash

    Squash Costata Romanesca

    by

    Costata Romanesca is an heirloom Italian squash often considered the best tasting and best textured summer squash. It is sometimes called cocozelle or ribbed Roman zucchini. It is also called courgette, marrow squash, and vegetable marrow. Costata Romanesca is an elongated squash with a dark green skin marked by greenish-yellow stripes that run its length. […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables

    Zephyr Squash

    by

    ‘Zephyr’ is a straightneck summer squash. ‘Zephyr’ has a yellow stem end and is pale green at the blossom end. Faint white stripes run the length of this squash. Zephyr is a hybrid of a yellow crookneck with a squash that is a cross between the Delicata and yellow Acorn squashes. It has a slightly […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables

    Squash Growing

    Squash plant leaves flower fruit1

    by

    Native Americans called it isquoutersquash. The British call it marrow. Squash is the American English term. Zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins grow best once the air temperature averages 65ºF (18ºC). That means squash can be sown in late spring just about everywhere, and if you live in a long-growing season region where the […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables, Prepare

    Eight Ways to Cook and Serve Summer Squash

    Stuffed zucchini baked

    by

    Summer or tender squash can be sautéed, steamed, boiled, baked,  grilled, microwaved, or eaten raw. Use raw tender squash as an addition to crudités trays and salads The tender summer squashes–zucchini, Costata Romanesca, round and globe, scallop or pattypan, yellow crookneck, and yellow straightneck, and Zephyr–mature during the summer and can be claimed as baby […] More

  • in Fruit Vegetables

    Summer Squash and Winter Squash: The Difference

    Squash summer harvest1

    by

    The “summer squash” is a soft-skinned squash. The “winter squash” is hard-shelled squash. Summer squash might be more aptly named a “tender squash.” It has moist flesh and a tender skin. Tender, summer squash is harvested steadily from early to late summer. Summer squash is best eaten fresh, either raw, steamed, or sauteed. It will […] More