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Gardening 101: Summer Squash

Summer squash are warm-season plants, such as zucchini, yellow crookneck, yellow straightneck (saffron), and pattypan. They grow on large, bushy plants or on vines and are ready to harvest in seven to eight weeks after planting. They are a versatile vegetable that make a great addition to many meals.  

Planting

  • Plant summer squash after the danger of frost is gone. Squash do best when the soil and air temperature is above 60°F consistently. Squash tend to do well in the heat.
  • Seeds can be started inside and transplanted outside after 3 weeks. There are two ways to plant squash:
    • Plant seeds in hills 4 feet apart with 2-3 seeds in each hill or
    • Plant in containers or garden beds with adequate space between seeds. Squash plants need a lot of space!
  • Summer squash do best in full sun, in soils with high nutrients, with plenty of water.
  • Rotate where squash is planted from year to year to avoid issues with diseases.

Harvesting

  • Harvest at about 7-8 weeks after planting.
  • Summer squash taste best when they are small, before the skin hardens and becomes seedy.
  • The skin and flesh of summer squash can be eaten.
  • Eat summer squash soon after harvesting.

Suggested Varieties- Black Zucchini, Early Golden Summer Crookneck, Early Prolific Straightneck, Jackpot Zucchini, Saffron, Sunny Delight

Happy gardening!

Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology.

Summer squash are warm-season plants, such as zucchini, yellow crookneck, yellow straightneck (saffron), and pattypan. They grow on large, bushy plants or on vines and are ready to harvest in seven to eight weeks after planting. They are a versatile vegetable that make a great addition to many meals.  

Planting

  • Plant summer squash after the danger of frost is gone. Squash do best when the soil and air temperature is above 60°F consistently. Squash tend to do well in the heat.
  • Seeds can be started inside and transplanted outside after 3 weeks. There are two ways to plant squash:
    • Plant seeds in hills 4 feet apart with 2-3 seeds in each hill or
    • Plant in containers or garden beds with adequate space between seeds. Squash plants need a lot of space!
  • Summer squash do best in full sun, in soils with high nutrients, with plenty of water.
  • Rotate where squash is planted from year to year to avoid issues with diseases.

Harvesting

  • Harvest at about 7-8 weeks after planting.
  • Summer squash taste best when they are small, before the skin hardens and becomes seedy.
  • The skin and flesh of summer squash can be eaten.
  • Eat summer squash soon after harvesting.

Suggested Varieties- Black Zucchini, Early Golden Summer Crookneck, Early Prolific Straightneck, Jackpot Zucchini, Saffron, Sunny Delight

Happy gardening!

Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology.

Additional Resources

Learn more about growing summer squash with these resources from the University of Wyoming Extension:

Next up: Peas + a recipe [Coming August 28]

Zucchini fries on a plate with a bowl of tomato sauce in the center.

Baked Zucchini Fries

This quick recipe makes an excellent side dish or snack, and is a great way to use zucchini, especially when you have tons in your garden!

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* The Cent$ible Nutrition Program is funded by USDA SNAP-Ed and EFNEP. SNAP-Ed assists individuals and families who receive, or are eligible to receive, benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). EFNEP assists families and youth with limited resources  in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behaviors necessary for nutritionally sound diets and contributes to their personal development and the improvement of total family diet and nutritional welfare. Visit our income-qualification page to learn more. 

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program-EFNEP. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Issued in furtherance of extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kelly Crane, Director, University of Wyoming Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming Extension, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071.

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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