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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Andrew County, MO

Andrew County, Missouri Zone 6a May

May in Andrew County, Missouri — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Andrew County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 17
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Get patty pan squash in the ground

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

  2. Start patty pan squash under lights

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: 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.

Andrew County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,292 feet, Andrew County receives approximately 37.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Patty Pan Squash during the growing season.

Andrew County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Andrew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Jul 30

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 Andrew County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.0) overlaps with Patty Pan Squash's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 184-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 240 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Andrew 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 2,530 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline — Andrew County, MO

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Andrew County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in Andrew County

Direct sow Patty Pan Squash outdoors after April 17 in Andrew County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 184.0-day season in Andrew 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.

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 Andrew County, MO?

Andrew County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Andrew County, MO?

Andrew County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Your Andrew County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Andrew 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 Andrew County, MO. 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.