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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Pershing County, NV

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.

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Patty Pan Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Patty Pan Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Patty Pan Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 15

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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Patty Pan Squash prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Pershing County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Patty Pan Squash will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Patty Pan Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 123-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 981 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€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Pershing 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 ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Pershing County, NV

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in Pershing County

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

Sandy soil in Pershing County dries quickly โ€” mulch Patty Pan Squash with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100ยฐF in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Patty Pan Squash and water deeply in the morning.

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.

Pershing County receives only 16" 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 Pershing County, NV?

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

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pershing County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Pershing County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.