Blog

When to Plant Patty Pan Squash in Webb County, TX

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.

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 3,543 feet, Webb County receives approximately 50.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Patty Pan Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Patty Pan Squash root diseases.

Webb County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Webb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (233 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 16 – Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (219 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (207 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 28

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 Webb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.7) overlaps with Patty Pan Squash's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Webb County is excellent for Patty Pan Squash โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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

8
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 10 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 964 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 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€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 7.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Webb 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 ~1,116 GDD — county provides 6,460 GDD Excellent fit

Patty Pan Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Webb County, TX

Patty Pan Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Direct Sow February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Mar 2
Harvest April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ May 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

303 days in Webb County

Growing Tips for Patty Pan Squash in Webb County

Direct sow Patty Pan Squash outdoors after February 09 in Webb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 304.0-day season in Webb 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 Webb County, TX?

Webb County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 9. Plan your Patty Pan Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webb County, TX?

Webb County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Webb County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Webb County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.