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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Franklin County, WA

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.

Franklin County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 1,556 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 15.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt 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.

Franklin County, WA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,131 gal / 100 sq ft
Patty Pan Squash needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, WA

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 13

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

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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, WA?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, WA?

Franklin County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Franklin County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.