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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Washington County, UT

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.

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,524 feet, Washington County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Patty Pan Squash during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Patty Pan Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washington County, UT (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Aug 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Washington County

How your county's soil matches Patty Pan Squash's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“8.0) overlaps with Patty Pan Squash's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Washington County is excellent for Patty Pan Squash โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Patty Pan Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Patty Pan Squash.

How to Plant Patty Pan Squash

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Patty Pan Squash

5
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Patty Pan Squash

Patty Pan Squash needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Patty Pan Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Washington County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Patty Pan Squash Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Patty Pan Squash needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, UT

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Washington County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in Washington County

Direct sow Patty Pan Squash outdoors after April 06 in Washington County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 209.0-day season in Washington County allows multiple plantings of Patty Pan Squash. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Patty Pan Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Washington County receives only 13" of rain annually. Patty Pan Squash needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Patty Pan Squash in Washington County, UT?

Washington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, UT?

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Washington County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.