2024 Red Deer area of Alberta, Canada Summer Squash U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Red Deer area of Alberta, Canada 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 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.

Red Deer area of Alberta

• Eagle Creek Farms - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, carrots, corn (sweet), flowers, herbs or spices, melons, peas, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties
  34532 Range Road #14, Bowden, AB T0M 0K0. Phone: 877 224 3939. Email: fresh@eaglecreekfarms.ca. Open: Summer Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 6pm: Sunday from 11am to 5pm Fall. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Fax: 403 224 3994. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. U-pick Open Mid July until Early September. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. We grow a selection of Vegetables & Flowers in our Gardens for you to pick. There is no admission to enter the Upick Gardens, you are only charged for what you pick. We have everything you need to cut a bouquet of flowers or harvest fresh veggies from the gardens including clippers, forks and bags. . (UPDATED: May 15, 2023, JBS)
• Pinky's Organics - Uses natural growing practices, not yet certified, apples, haskaps, pears, red raspberries red, Yellow raspberries, Black raspberries, strawberries, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, pie or tart cherries, sweet corn, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, garlic, kale, lettuce or salad greens, onions, snap peas (edible pod), snow peas (flat edible pod), hot peppers, sweet peppers, Swiss chard, summer squash, winter squash, Heirloom tomatoes, paste or Roma tomatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, daffodils, lavender, Lillies, sunflowers, tulips, zinnias, flowers, Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Fresh eggs
  26040 highway 595, Red Deer County, AB t4e0t8. Phone: (403) 347-7148. Email: pinkysflowerfarm@xplore.net. Open: daily 9 am to 5 pm starting in July through to October. Directions: 8KM east of Red Deer on highway 595. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. (ADDED: April 17, 2024)
• The Jungle Farm - cucumbers, flowers, herbs or spices, onions, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, other vegetables, prepicked produce, farm market, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  Rural Route # 3, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T8. Phone: 403-227-4231. Email: info@thejunglefarm.com. Open: Daily from 8 am - 6 pm. Directions: From Innisfail - 6km North on highway #2A; turn right on Township road 362 \(watch for the blue highway directional sign\), come 1km. The Jungle Farm is the second farm on the left side. From Red Deer - 14 km South on highway #2; turn right on Old Pole Road \(watch for the blue highway directional sign\), come 3 km. The Jungle Farm is on the right side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards. . Fax: 403-227-6020. . From Innisfail - 6km North on highway #2A; turn right on Township road 362 (watch for the blue highway directional sign), come 1km. is the second farm on the left side. From Red Deer - 14 km South on highway #2; turn right on Old Pole Road (watch for the blue highway directional sign), come 3 km. is on the right side. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Flower Spring Season May 8 till June 15 Strawberry Summer Season July till August Pumpkin Fall Season August through mid October. Greenhouse Grand Opening May 10am to 5pm Strawberry Festival July ; Country Drive August; Fall Family Pumpkin Season Kickoff August ;Fall Pumpkin Festival October . (UPDATED: September 12, 2018, JBS)

 

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