2024 northwestern Iowa, Sioux Falls area Summer Squash U-Pick farms - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick farms in northwestern Iowa, Sioux Falls area 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.

Sioux County

• Pumpkinland - pumpkins, summer squash, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, group reservations
  4123 Jackson Avenue, Orange City, IA 51041. Phone: 712-737-8364. Email: nkdaveh@hotmail.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm; closed Sundays, September 1 to October 31. Directions: Directions from Le Mars: Start out going north on 5th Avenue SWUS-75 Bus N toward 3rd Street SW. Continue to follow US-75 Bus N. Merge onto IA-60 N. Turn left onto Jackson AveCounty Hwy-K64. Continue to follow County Hwy-K64 through Orange City \(2 34 miles\). 4123 Jackson Avenue is on the left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Pumpkinland Facebook page. . . Directions from Le Mars: Start out going north on 5th Avenue SW/US-75 Bus N toward 3rd Street SW. Continue to follow US-75 Bus N. Merge onto IA-60 N. Turn left onto Jackson Ave/County Hwy-K64. Continue to follow County Hwy-K64 through Orange City (2 3/4 miles). 4123 Jackson Avenue is on the left. open from September 1 to October 31, Monday through Saturday. We sell many varieties of pumpkins - - either already picked or pick your own, a large selection of squash, apples, gourds, dried gourds, ornamental corn, and popcorn. We also sell a large assortment of fall crafts & decorations, jams, jellies, and baked goods. Additional attractions include: Mazeland -- a seven acre corn maze, a Munchkin maze, Animal-Land petting zoo, and fantastic fall photo opportunities.

 

Cottage food laws, commercial kitchens and copackers!

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