2024 Wichita Area of Kansas Summer Squash U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Wichita Area of Kansas in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for summer squash that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have summer squash farms 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.

Butler County

• Meadowlark Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, beans, cucumbers, eggplants, melons, nectarines, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, school tours, group reservations
  11249 Sw 160th St, Rose Hill, KS 67133. Phone: 316-518-8907. Email: tom@themeadowlarkfarm.com. Open: Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm from June 1 through November 1 and by appointment. Directions: Take Highway 54400 \(Kellogg\) east of Wichita, KS towards Augusta, KS. Turn South on Santa Fe Lake road and travel 6 miles, then turn West on SW 160th Street and after 200 yards, turn south into our driveway through the peach orchard and follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Meadowlark Farm Facebook page. Take Highway 54/400 (Kellogg) east of Wichita, KS towards Augusta, KS. Turn South on Santa Fe Lake road and travel 6 miles, then turn West on SW 160th Street and after 200 yards, turn south into our driveway through the peach orchard and follow the signsPeaches can be picked from early July until the first of September Pick your own vegetables are available from June 1 til November. We use integrated pest management practices A visitor writes on July 20, 2013: "We LOVE it. Met the owner/operator and he is a very nice person."

Sedgwick County

• Soil Fed Farm - Uses natural growing practices, melons, beans, beets, you-dig carrots, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, eggplants, garlic, kale, lettuce or salad greens, okra, onions, snow peas (flat edible pod), hot peppers, sweet peppers, you-dig sweet potatoes, summer squash, winter squash, Heirloom tomatoes, watermelons, lavender, sunflowers, zinnias, flowers, Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Cell service cell phones work here, No dogs allowed except for service animals
  5455 S Hydraulic - Greenhouse, Wichita, KS 67216. Phone: (316) 390-8397. Email: info@soilfedfarm.com. Open: Typical season is from May through November; in season, Friday from 1 pm to 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, CashApp, PayPal, Venmo. Soil Fed Farm We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification Click here for our Instagram page. (ADDED: April 05, 2024)

Sumner County

• Martin Produce - beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, melons, onions, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, prepicked produce
  202 N 12th St, Conway Springs, KS 67031. Phone: (620)456-2586. Email: krismart@yahoo.com. Open: Self - Serve produce stand; Picked daily; Call or come by to see what is available. Directions: West of the football field in Conway Springs. Stand is located at the end of driveway. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Crops are usually available in June, July, August Prices are posted at the stand. Most produce is listed for $1 and is bagged.

 

Summer Squash

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