Summer Squash U-Pick farms in the greater metropolitan Des Moines area of Iowa in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick farms for summer squash that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have summer squash orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
Madison County
- The Pumpkin Ranch - pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, inflatables or bounce houses, pony rides, school tours
2425 Hiatt Apple Trail, Winterset, IA 50273. Phone: 515-490-9281. Email: info@thepumpkinranch.com. Open: Call or check website for seasonal hours. Directions: Go to website for complete directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
The Pumpkin Ranch Facebook page. . .
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Summer Squash Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
Summer squash comes in many varieties and sizes. Choosing a summer squash that meets your needs and the taste you will like can be tough
without a guide! This page provides you that information, plus
nutritional analysis and links to our freezing and canning pages!
Summer squash is best when harvested very young and used right away,
The yellow and orange flesh of the summer squash is nutritious and rich in vitamins,
Size:
Younger small summer squash are almost always better, with firmer flesh and smaller seeds
Appearance:
For a quality squash, choose one that has a smooth, shiny skin and is free of cracks, wrinkles or soft spots. .
Picking the squash
It's best to use a knife and cut through the stem that attaches the squash to the rest of the plant. Some squashes can be snapped off without a knife but you may damage the plant, so a knife is best.
Storing Summer Squash
Summer squash do not have a long shelf life and require refrigeration except for a few hours. Even in a fridge, they should be used within a few days as they will begin to become soft and dry out after a few days. Cut pieces of squash should be tightly wrapped and refrigerated. Luckily, cut squash can be frozen for use later. .
Varieties of Summer Squash
Below are the most popular summer squash varieties. Each variety has its own unique flavor and texture, making them versatile ingredients in a variety of dishes
| Name | Photo | Description | Best uses |
| Zucchini | Versatile and can be used in various dishes such as saute's, stir-fries, grilled, roasted, or baked into bread
or muffins. |
Straight, cylindrical green squash with a smooth skin. | |
| Yellow Crookneck | Distinctive curved neck with yellow skin and a bulbous base. |
Ideal for grilling, saute'ing, or as a colorful addition to salads and soups. | |
| Costata Romanesco | Ribbed Italian zucchini with dark green stripes. | Perfect for slicing and grilling, or used in pasta dishes and frittatas. | |
| Cousa | Middle Eastern variety with light green or pale yellow skin. | Often stuffed and baked, used in stews, or sliced and added to soups. | |
| Eight Ball | Small, round zucchini with dark green skin. | Perfect for stuffing, grilling, or slicing into rounds for saute's and stir-fries. | |
| Greyzini | Unique hybrid between zucchini and pattypan squash. | Can be used interchangeably with zucchini and pattypan in various recipes. | |
| Pattypan | Small, round or scallop-shaped squash with pale green or yellow skin. | Great for stuffing, roasting, steaming, or slicing and using in stir-fries or salads. | |
| Sunburst | Small, scallop-shaped squash with yellow skin and scalloped edges. | Great for grilling, saute'ing, or using as an attractive garnish for dishes. | |
| Ronde de Nice | Small, round zucchini with pale green skin. | Ideal for stuffing, roasting, or slicing and adding to soups and stews. | |
| Yellow Crookneck | Distinctive curved neck with yellow skin and a bulbous base. |
Ideal for grilling, saute'ing, or as a colorful addition to salads and soups. | |
| Yellow Straightneck | Similar to yellow crookneck, but with a straight neck and yellow skin. | Excellent for grilling, saute'ing, or slicing into salads and stir-fries. |
Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Local Honey Finder
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
- Easter egg hunts
- Children"s consignment sales
- Fruit and vegetable festivals
- Winery tours and wine tastings
- Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
- Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
- Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
- Pumpkin patches
- Corn mazes
- Zombie Paintball venues
- Christmas Tree Farms & lots
- Environmental resources
- Consumer fraud information
- Wholesale food sources
- Resources for Farmers
Looking for canning equipment and supplies?
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
Ball Blue book (most recent version)
Find Other types of farms:
- Easter egg hunts
- Children's consignment sales
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Road trips and camping resources
- Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Consumer fraud and scams information
- Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
- Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
- Environmental information and resources
- Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
- Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes
- Christmas Tree Farms and lots
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book of Home Canning
Find other types of farms:
- Easter egg hunts
- Children's consignment sales
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Local Honey
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Road trip and camping
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes
- Christmas Tree Farms and lots
- Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
Highly rated canning supplies:
- Regular Mouth Canning Lids with food-grade with BPA Free Silicone seals for Ball, Kerr Jars for Canning
- Canning accessories kit: funnel, jar tongs, lid lifter, etc
- Food Dehydrator, 400W Electric with 8 Trays, 48 hour Timer and Temperature Control 95-176℉, BPA-Free
- Water Bath Canner, 21 Qts with lid, Jar Rack, Speckled Black, cans 7 quart jars, 9 pint jars or 13 half-pint jars
- Air Fryer: Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus XL 8QT Clear Windows, Custom Programming, 8-in-1
fruit dehydrator, Crisps, Broils, Roasts, Bakes, Reheats
- Pressure canner: All American 921, 21.5qt Pressure Cooker/Canner, never needs gaskets, Great for Gas, Electric or Flat Top Stoves - Made in the USA
- The Backyard Homestead: a guide to homesteading , on 1/4 acre, how to raise grains and vegetables; raise animals for meat, eggs, and dairy; and keep honey bees
- HEPA Air Purifiers for Home, Large Rooms for Allergies, Smoke, Pets. QUIET, Eliminates 99.97% of Dust, Pet Hair, Odors
