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How to grow patty pan squash

Love courgettes and butternut squash? Then why not try growing tasty patty pan squash too, with the help of our step by step guide.

By BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 3 May, 2019 at 11:01 am

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
At its best
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
At its best	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
To do
To do	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

If you love eating courgettes and butternut squash, but fancy trying something a little different, why not grow patty pan squashes? They’re surprisingly easy to grow, despite their exotic appearance.

Patty pan squash can be raised from seed in May, to be planted out once frosts have passed, usually in late May or early June. Young plants may need extra protection on cold nights, so have bell cloches or fleece to hand, just in case cool weather is forecast.

You’ll get the heaviest crops in a sunny, sheltered spot, but plenty of moisture and a well-fed soil are also essential. Improve the soil by digging in lots of well-rotted manure, your own garden compost or a proprietary soil improver.

You Will Need

Patty pan squash seed
9cm pots
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
A propagator or plastic bag
Organic matter
A bell cloche
High-potash liquid feed

Step 1

Fill 9cm pots with good quality multi-purpose compost and sow two seeds per pot. Water well, then put the pots in a propagator or plastic bag and germinate on a sunny windowsill.

Sowing patty pan seed

Step 2

Fork plenty of bulky organic matter into the soil, improving an area at least 50cm square and 30cm deep where each plant will grow. Re-firm the soil afterwards.

Forking organic matter into the soil

Step 3

Thin out to leave the strongest seedling and plant it out after the last frost. Create a shallow depression in the soil around each plant, to direct water to the roots. Cover plants with a bell cloche on cold nights or windy days.

Planting out young patty pan plants

Step 4

Keep soil moist by watering around the plant, taking care not to wet the foliage and flowers. Feed every fortnight with a high-potash liquid feed once the flowers appear. Harvest squash regularly, right up until the first frosts.