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Types of Squash

Gardening Guide: Happiness is Summer Squash: All You Need to Know about Growing Summer Squash

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Types of Squash

By Norann Oleson

Assorted summer squashes.

Assorted summer squashes.

As many food gardeners know, there are two types of squash: summer and winter. But that doesn’t mean that winter squash is grown in the winter, rather, the names refer to the fact that summer squash is harvested and eaten in the summer, while winter squash is harvested in late summer and fall and can be stored almost all winter long.

The difference lies in the rinds. Summer squash has a tender skin—you should be able to pierce it with your thumbnail when it’s ready to harvest—and doesn’t store well. In fact, summer squash is ready to eat fairly quickly in the summer (in about 60 days), and is harvested when it’s small and immature. Leave summer squash on the vine too long and you’ll have bitter, hard flesh.

Zucchini is the most common summer squash. In fact, many people think it’s the only kind of summer squash. You’ll find out later in this collection that that’s not true. Pattypan or scalloped is another equally tasty variety, among others.

Winter squash, on the other hand, ripens much later than summer squash (in about 80 to 110 days). It has a thicker rind and can be stored throughout the winter for delicious eating. Well-known winter squashes include pumpkin, Hubbard, and butternut.

Most summer squashes are bushy, while winter squashes have a rambling vine habit. That makes it a bit more difficult to find room in your garden for summer squash, because vining plants expand in one direction when they grow and can be directed away from other plants, while bush plants expand equally in all directions and take up more space.

Still, even summer squash can be encouraged to grow up a trellis, or in a container, as we’ll see later on, so you can enjoy this summer staple no matter how much or how little room you have for gardening!

Finally, summer squash is quite perishable and may last only five days even when refrigerated in a plastic bag. It is eaten almost immediately after harvesting and requires little or no cooking.

Do you prefer summer or winter squash—and why? Or do you love them both equally? Please share your opinion with us!

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Tags

summer squash, winter squash, zucchini

Comments
  • Jill P. May 21, 2021

    I was hoping to see photos of the different varieties. I’m sorry but I didn’t learn anything from this article.

    Reply
    • Bill D. May 22, 2021

      This particular article of this Summer Squash Collection is a just a summary of the types. You can view individual articles about different types of summer squash, including featured photos of each variety, in the “Plant Profiles” section of this collection. Please see the “Table of Contents” on the right side of this page, to navigate to a specific type of squash under “Plant Profiles” such as Round Zucchini Squash here: https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/plant-profile/round-zucchini-squash/?t=1902

      Reply

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Curator’s Corner
  • Introduction
  • Feature Articles

  • Types of Squash
  • Growing Summer Squash from Seeds or Seedlings
  • Growing Summer Squash in Open Land, in Containers, or in Raised Beds
  • Sun and Soil Requirements for Growing Summer Squash
  • Growing Summer Squash with Pots and Trellises
  • Nurturing and Harvesting your Squash
  • Dealing with Squash Pests
  • Dealing with Squash Diseases
  • Essential Tools and Equipment for Growing and Enjoying Squash
  • Plant Profiles

  • Round Zucchini Squash
  • Ronde de Nice Squash
  • Tatuma Squash
  • Yellow Crookneck Squash
  • Pattypan Squash
  • Zucchini Squash
  • Recipes

  • Zucchini Cornbread Casserole
  • Zucchini Pizza Bake
  • Garlicky Summer Squash and Fresh Corn
  • Yellow Squash Patties
  • Summer Squash Bread
  • Low-Carb Yellow Squash Casserole
  • Additional Articles

  • Nutrition Facts about Summer Squash
  • Health Benefits of Squash
  • Resources about Squash
  • Squash Glossary
  • Related Articles

  • The Best Heirloom Vegetable Plants to Grow
  • 10 Beautiful Flowering Vegetables (and Herbs)
  • How to Preserve Zucchini and Summer Squash 5 Ways
  • A Delicious Summer Squash Soup Recipe to Cook from Your Garden
  • What to Do with Summer Squash
  • 10 Summer Squash Companion Plants You Want in Your Garden
  • Happiness is Summer Squash—All You Need to Know About Growing Summer Squash

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