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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Oneida County, ID

Oneida County, Idaho Zone 6a May

This month in Oneida County, Idaho

Your garden in Oneida County, Idaho is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 33°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Outdoor sowing time: patty pan squash

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Transplants going out: patty pan squash
  • Starting indoors: patty pan squash

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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.

Oneida County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 120 days.

At an elevation of 8,042 feet, Oneida County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, 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.

Oneida County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
120 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
120 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Oneida County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 14

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 Oneida County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–8.2) overlaps with Patty Pan Squash's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Oneida County is excellent for Patty Pan Squash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Patty Pan Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 120-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 841 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Oneida County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~722 GDD — county provides 1,650 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline — Oneida County, ID

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 20
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 – Jun 20
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

120 days in Oneida County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in Oneida County

Direct sow Patty Pan Squash outdoors after May 23 in Oneida County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Oneida County receives only 18" of rain annually. Patty Pan Squash needs consistent moisture — 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 Oneida County, ID?

Oneida County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oneida County, ID?

Oneida County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 20.

🌱

Your Oneida County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Oneida County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Oneida County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.