Summer Squash Varieties
and Types

Summer Squash Harvest
© Steve Masley…Click IMAGE to Enlarge

Summer squash varieties—like zucchini, crookneck, and patty pan—are best harvested small, while their skins are still soft, and before seeds develop.

Unlike winter squash, which ripen on the vines all summer and are harvested in fall, summer squash are harvested continuously, throughout the summer.

Summer squash and winter squash are close cousins, and share the same soil, fertilizer, and irrigation needs, as well as the same pests and diseases. For information on Growing Squash, click Here.

Pattypan | Crookneck | Zucchini | Growing Summer Squash
Winter Squash Varieties

Varieties of Summer Squash

While some summer squash form large vines, many have been bred for an open, compact habit that makes it easier to see squash that need harvesting.

Choose these compact vines for small space gardens and growing squash in containers.

Patty Pan Squash

Patty pan squash are like little flying saucers with scalloped edges. They have a delicious, nutty crunch, and are great sliced in half and grilled, or chopped and sautéed quickly with fresh herbs.

Patty Pan Squash Varieties (Click IMAGE to Enlarge)
	*‘Starship’* (F1 Hybrid, 53 days) is a medium to dark green patty pan that contrasts nicely with ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Sunburst’.
	*‘Sunburst’* (F1 Hybrid, 52 days) is a bright yellow patty pan. 1985 AAS Winner. Order 'Sunburst' Seeds
	*‘Peter Pan’* (F1 Hybrid, 50 days) is a pale green patty pan variety that produces very early and prolifically. 'Lunar Eclipse' is a variant of 'Peter Pan'. Order 'Lunar Eclipse' Seeds

Top of Page | Pattypan | Yellow Summer | Zucchini
Growing Summer Squash | Winter Squash Varieties

Yellow Summer Squash

'Crookneck' Summer Squash, a Summer Classic

'Crookneck' Summer Squash
© Steve Masley…Click IMAGE to Enlarge

‘Yellow Crookneck’ (Open Pollinated, 58 days) is the classic yellow summer squash. It has sweet, firm, buttery flesh, and is delicious harvested at 4-5” (10-13cm).

‘Superpik’ (F1 hybrid, 55 days) is a great yellow summer squash. Bushy, vigorous, disease-resistant plants kick out numerous light yellow, elongated squash, like bottom-heavy zucchini. Very productive—don’t plant too many!

‘Zephyr’ (F1 Hybrid, 54 days) is a two-tone yellow summer squash that looks like the blossom end has been dipped in green.

Top of Summer Squash Varieties | Pattypan | Crookneck
Zucchini | Growing Summer Squash |