Be sure to check out our Summer Squash Growing Guide to learn more tips & tricks on successfully growing summer squash. Sunburst Squash is a hybrid "patty pan" type that was an All American Selections winner when released in 1985. This variety produces fruits that are bright yellow with small green rings in the center. Fruits have scalloped edges and are best harvested around 3-4" in diameter. Sunburst Squash is a heavy-yielding variety and will continually produce fruit well into the summer months. Patty Pan Squash has a nuttier flavor than traditional squash or zucchini, and is great when eaten raw or cooked. The texture is more firm and holds well during grilling or sautéing. Squash may be direct seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting squash Seeds every 12" along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well. Squash are a crop that will require multiple harvests throughout the growing season. Regardless of variety, squash will have better flavor and texture when harvested on the small end of the spectrum. We recommend harvesting every 2-3 days to ensure no fruits become too large and unpalatable. When squash plants cease production, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all squash varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure. Seed garden label included in seed pack. Sunburst Squash Planting Information Planting Method: direct seed When to Plant: after last frost Planting Depth: 1/2" Seed Spacing: 18-24" Row Spacing: 5-6' Days to Maturity: 50 Disease Resistance: None
