How to grow patty pan squash

Find out how to grow patty pan squashes, below.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tasty squash recipes to try

• Chestnut, squash and sweet potato loaf (vegan)
• Chickpea and squash coconut curry (vegetarian)
• Kale and squash calzones (vegetarian)
• Meatball, sage and squash lasagne
• Whole baked squash with spiced couscous (vegetarian)
• Lamb dhansak