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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Pennington County, MN

Patty pan squash is a summer squash with a distinctive flying-saucer shape and scalloped edges. It comes in white, yellow, and green varieties with a mild, nutty flavor.

Pennington County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 854 feet, Pennington County receives approximately 35.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Patty Pan Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Pennington County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
143 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Pennington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Aug 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Patty Pan Squash needs ~564 GDD — county provides 1,537 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Pennington County, MN

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 16

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 3b

Growing Season

143 days

Growing Tips for Pennington County

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when 2-4 inches across for best texture and flavor. Larger fruits become seedy and tough. Very prolific producers in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Patty Pan Squash in Pennington County, MN?

Pennington County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pennington County, MN?

Pennington County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pennington County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pennington County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.