Squash Pattypan summer squash seeds 6/30/60(6 Seeds)

Check the days to maturity for the variety you are growing, but most are ready to harvest in 45 to 70 days.The fruits can start to be picked when they are about two inches in diameter and remain tender up to about a 4-inch diameter. Each squash weighs less than 1 pound.Growing TipsPlant seeds around one inch deep. Squash is often planted in hills, or clusters, with two to three seeds per hill, spaced two to three feet apart. Each hill can be thinned to one or two plants, once the seedlings are two to three inches tall.If planting in rows, space plants around 10 inches apart, with three feet between rows. Give your plants plenty of room to roam. Although patty pan vines are not as long as some squash vines, they can still spread up to six feet.A second planting in mid-summer will keep your garden producing into fall. Early plants can become exhausted due to heavy fruit set.Squash plants have both male and female blossoms and they both need to be present for pollination to occur. Having multiple plants with multiple blossoms will increase the chance of pollination.Patty pan squash does best in rich, well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Patty pan will grow in most good soils but prefers a soil pH that is slightly acidic, from about 6.1 to 6.5.Summer squash basically grows itself. Wait until the soil has warmed and then direct seed in the garden. You could start seed indoors, four to six weeks before your transplant date, but direct-seeded plants will quickly catch up.Care and MaintenanceKeep the vines well watered, especially when in bloom and producing. If they experience too much drought, they will drop their flowers and fruits.Mulching helps keep the shallow root system cool and moist. Straw is great to use as a mulch in vegetable gardens, to keep the fruits dry and clean, but any mulch will do.Side dress with compost or fertilize every 4 weeks, while producing squash.The greatest maintenance will be checking your summer squash daily, as summer squash can reach harvest size within four days of flowering.Preparing Patty Pan SquashThe odd shape of patty pan squash can confound cooks. You can avoid the whole idea of how to slice patty pan squash by cooking them whole. Whole patty pans can be steamed over boiling water until tender, about four to six minutes, depending on size.You can also roast patty pans, although they cook more evenly if you slice them in half first. Place the pieces on a baking sheet and roast on the top rack for about 10 to 15 minutes at 420 F, until tender. You can coat with olive oil or butter and season to taste beforehand if you so choose.If you want to be brave and slice your patty pans, feel free to slice them any way you like. You can slice through the diameter, dice them into chunks or simply scoop out the cooked flesh. Therersquo;s no right or wrong way to slice this vegetable.Patty pan squash also makes great little edible serving bowls. Scoop out the centers, either before or after cooking, and fill with a stuffing of your choice.