Cultivating Patty Pan Squash: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing Patty Pan Squash: A Simple Guide to Growing These Delish Squash
Now here's a fun and tasty twist to your courgettes and butternut squash game. Grow patty pan squashes! Despite their exotic appearance, they're a breeze to grow.
Getting Started
You can start growing patty pan squash from seeds in May, ready to be planted out after the last frost, typically in late May or early June. In case cooler nights are in the forecast, keep bell cloches or fleece handy to give your young plants some added protection.
Location, Location, Location
Find a sunny, sheltered spot for your patty pan patch. These little beauties love the sun and a good dose of moisture, along with well-fed soil. To enrich your soil, dig in plenty of well-rotted manure, your garden compost, or a soil improver.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Fill 9cm pots with high-quality, multi-purpose compost. Sow two seeds per pot, water well, and place them in a propagator or plastic bag on a sunny windowsill to germinate.
- Fork in plenty of bulky organic matter into the soil where each plant will grow. After re-firming the soil, thin out leaves to allow the strongest seedling to grow.
- Once the last frost has passed, plant out the strongest seedling. Create a shallow depression around the plant to help direct water to the roots. Use a bell cloche to protect plants from cold nights or windy days.
- Keep the soil moist by watering around the plant, taking care not to get the foliage wet. Feed every fortnight with a high-potash liquid feed once the flowers appear. Regularly harvest squash to encourage continued fruit production.
Tasty Squash Ideas
- Chestnut, Squash, and Sweet Potato Loaf (vegan)
- Chickpea and Squash Coconut Curry (vegetarian)
- Kale and Squash Calzones (vegetarian)
- Meatball, Sage, and Squash Lasagne
- Whole Baked Squash with Spiced Couscous (vegetarian)
- Lamb Dhansak
Patty Pan Squash: A Quick Overview
Patty pan squash, or white scallop squash, comes in various colors like pale green, yellow, and custard. They're suitable not only for outdoors but also for container growing.
The key to growing patty pan squash is properly preparing the soil, planting with the right spacing, and providing regular fertilization, watering, and care. Patty pan squash tolerates most common squash pests and mildew, making them favorable for gardeners in varied conditions. Their quick maturity and edible skin add culinary flexibility to your kitchen.
Happy growing, and enjoy your tasty patty pan squash harvest!
Incorporate patty pan squashes into your home-and-garden lifestyle by cultivating them in your garden patch. Given their preference for sunny and well-watered conditions, creating a home-grown patty pan squash patch in your home-and-garden could prove to be a rewarding gardening endeavor, leading to a delightful output of exotic, versatile squash for your lifestyle and culinary pursuits.
