Patty Pan Squash: To Trellis Or Not?

Patty pan squash, also known as scallop squash, is a summer squash variety with a distinct flying saucer shape. While the plant and leaves resemble other squash plants, the fruits have flattened balls with scalloped edges and can be almost white, green, yellow, or bicoloured. Patty pan squash does not require a trellis as it is a bush variety. However, it still needs adequate air circulation between plants. They are relatively easy to grow and can be planted in the spring, with a possible second summer planting.

Patty pan squash can be grown in a pot

Patty pan squash is a type of summer squash that is known for its scalloped "flying saucer" shape. It is a lesser-known cultivar of the summer squash species, which also includes zucchini and crook-neck squash. This squash is surprisingly easy to grow and can be grown in a pot if you have limited space.

To grow patty pan squash in a pot, choose a large, roomy container with a drainage hole or a large grow bag that is 10 to 12 inches wide and 10 inches deep. This will give the plant enough room to grow male and female blooms. Fill the pot with compost, potting soil, a handful of sand, and some perlite to create a light and well-draining mix. Place one or two germinated seeds about 1/2 inch into the soil, lightly cover them, and then add a thin layer of mulch on top. Water the seeds with about 1 inch of water and place the pot in a sunny or partially sunny location.

It is important to keep the patty pan squash plant well-watered, especially when it is producing blooms and squash. Aim to provide about 1 inch of water per week, including rain. Make sure that the plant does not experience drought or dry conditions when it starts to flower. Once every week or two, use a balanced fertilizer, and you can likely harvest your first squash in about eight weeks.

Patty pan squash can be grown from seed in May and then planted outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, typically in late May or early June. Young plants may need extra protection on cold nights, so have bell cloches or fleece on hand. Improve the soil by digging in well-rotted manure, your own garden compost, or a proprietary soil improver.

Patty pan squash should be grown in full sun and in rich, well-draining soil. They are usually planted in groups of two or three seeds per hill, spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Thin them to one or two plants per hill once the seedlings reach a height of 2 to 3 inches. Keep in mind that their vines can spread up to 4 to 6 feet, so give them plenty of room to grow.

They don't need a trellis, but trellising has benefits

Patty pan squash, also known as scallop squash, is a summer squash variety with a distinct ""flying saucer" shape. While patty pan squash plants don't require a trellis, trellising offers several benefits for both the gardener and the plant.

Patty pan squash is a bush variety, and while it doesn't need support to grow, it still requires good air circulation between plants. Growing patty pan squash on a trellis can help save space, especially if you're working with a small garden or mixed bed. By training the vines to grow vertically, you can prevent them from spreading and encroaching on other plants. This is particularly useful for vining varieties, which can have vines that spread up to 4 to 6 feet.

Trellising also results in cleaner produce. Squash grown vertically doesn't touch the soil, reducing the need for extensive cleaning upon harvest. Additionally, vertical growth can help prevent discolouration on the squash bottoms, which can occur when they sit on damp soil.

Another advantage of trellising is improved pest and disease management. When grown on trellises, squash vines receive more sunlight and air circulation, reducing the likelihood of diseases like powdery mildew. Vertical vines are also easier to inspect for pests.

If you decide to trellis your patty pan squash, there are a few steps to follow. First, install your trellis before planting your squash seeds. This will ensure you don't disturb the seeds or young plants. Then, plant your squash seeds according to the directions on the seed packet, taking into account the weight-bearing capacity of your trellis. Remember that potted plants may need to be watered more often, as they only have one point of contact with the soil.

As your squash plants begin to send out tendrils, gently guide them around the trellis to encourage vertical growth. Once the plants are larger, you can use garden twine, plant ties, or clips to anchor the vines to the trellis, being careful not to inhibit their growth.

How to train squash to grow vertically

Patty pan squash is a type of summer squash. While squash plants do not technically need trellises, growing them vertically can save space, especially if you are working with a small garden. If you want to train your patty pan squash to grow vertically, here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Install a trellis

Before planting your squash seeds, install a trellis in your garden. The type of trellis you use will determine how it is installed. For example, cattle panels are usually installed into garden beds with T-posts or other supports, while hanging trellises can be mounted to walls and porches with eyehooks or other hardware.

Step 2: Plant your squash seeds

Once your trellis is installed, plant your patty pan squash seeds. Make sure to follow the directions on your seed packet for spacing and planting depth. Keep in mind that some trellises can bear more weight than others, so you may need to adjust the number of seeds you plant accordingly.

Step 3: Mulch your plants

Add organic mulch around your plants to help keep weeds down, keep the roots cool, and conserve moisture. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem of the plant.

Step 4: Train your squash vines

As your patty pan squash plants begin to send out their first tendrils, carefully guide these stems around your trellis to encourage vertical growth. As the plants get bigger, you may need to use garden twine, plant ties, or plant clips to anchor the vines to the trellis. Be sure to attach these loosely so that they don't inhibit vine growth.

Step 5: Add extra support

As your squash vines grow and start to produce fruit, they may need extra support to prevent the vines from breaking under the weight. This is especially important for larger squash varieties. You can use pantyhose to gently support the developing squash and secure it to the trellis.

By following these steps, you can successfully train your patty pan squash to grow vertically, even in a small garden space.

Different types of trellis for squash

While patty pan squash is a bush variety and does not need a trellis, trellising other types of squash can be beneficial. Squash grown on the ground can quickly take over a small plot, so trellising is a great space-saving idea for small gardens. It also makes harvesting easier and can protect the plants from pests and diseases.

There are two basic types of squash plants: vining varieties that will climb a trellis, and bush varieties that won't. The best varieties for trellising are delicata, acorn, zucchini, yellow summer, Sugar Pie pumpkins, Jack Be Little pumpkins, and crookneck squash. Winter squash, like turban and butternut, can become too heavy and large for a trellis without additional support.

DIY Squash Trellis Arch

This type of trellis is made by threading PVC pipes through wire fencing to create a sturdy arch. The fencing provides a surface for the squash vines to grab onto as they grow. This type of trellis is suitable for larger varieties of squash, such as spaghetti squash and Crown Prince squash.

Heavy-Duty A-Frame Trellis

A heavy-duty A-frame trellis can be purchased or built at home using wooden or metal posts. The posts should be hammered into the ground at an angle to each other in a teepee shape, with a cross angle at the base and across the middle for added stability. This type of trellis is suitable for larger varieties of squash, but may require additional support for the fruit, such as slings made from old pantyhose.

Lean-To Trellis

This type of trellis is created by securing chicken wire or fencing to wooden stakes or posts, forming a slanted wall that the squash can grow up. This design takes advantage of vertical space and can also provide shade for plants that prefer indirect sunlight.

Pergola or Arbor

A large structure like a pergola or arbor can be used as a trellis for squash, providing ample space for the vines to grow and supporting the weight of the fruit.

Bush-type squash don't need extra support

Bush-type squash, including patty pan squash, do not need extra support. They are compact plants that never produce small side vines and typically take up an area no bigger than 3 ft. by 3 ft. This makes them ideal for small gardens or even containers. They are also quick to mature, with most varieties ready to harvest in 75 to 85 days, compared to more than 100 days for many vining squash.

Patty pan squash, also known as scallop squash, is a summer squash with a unique, flattened, scalloped shape. It is a bush variety, but it still needs good air circulation to grow properly. While it doesn't need a trellis or other support, it should be spaced about 2 to 3 feet apart from other plants, with 3 feet between rows.

When growing patty pan squash, it is best to direct sow the seeds in the garden when the soil has warmed up to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also start seeds indoors about four to six weeks before your transplant date, but direct-seeded plants will catch up quickly. Space the seeds about 1 inch deep and about 10 inches apart, thinning to one or two plants per hill when the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall.

Patty pan squash grows best in rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.1 to 6.5. Keep the plants well-watered, especially during blooming and squash production, and consider mulching to keep the shallow root system cool and moist.

With their compact growth habit, bush-type squash, including patty pan squash, can be grown successfully without the need for extra support structures.

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