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When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in St. Lawrence County, NY

St. Lawrence County, New York Zone 4a April

This month in St. Lawrence County, New York

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for St. Lawrence County, New York this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 40°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.2 hrs
Coming up in May — start thinking about
  • Transplants going out: patty pan squash
  • Direct-sowing: 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.

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 688 feet, St. Lawrence County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Patty Pan Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

St. Lawrence County, NY (Zone 4a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2
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St. Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 1

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 St. Lawrence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.6) is more acidic than Patty Pan Squash prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). 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 145-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in St. Lawrence 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 ~682 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline — St. Lawrence County, NY

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 – Jun 14
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

145 days in St. Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in St. Lawrence County

Direct sow Patty Pan Squash outdoors after May 10 in St. Lawrence 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.

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 St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

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Your St. Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for St. Lawrence County (Zone 4a). 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 St. Lawrence County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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