2024 Eastern-central Mississippi Summer Squash U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Eastern-central Mississippi 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Noxubee County

• Lazy U Farm - blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), eggplant, flowers, melons, onions, peas, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  5572 Elon Rd, Macon, MS 39341. Phone: 662 361 0237. Email: LazyU2012@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm, closed on Sunday. Directions: From highway 45 take Misso Road turn right on Elon RD 2.6 miles on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Lazy U Farm Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 662 361 0045Fax: 662-726-4974Picking updates: Click here for picking updates What can we do at Lazy U: Take a wagon ride, Get lost in the corn maze, Take a trip to the Pumpkin Patch, Pick all sorts of produce, Play on the large playground, Check out all the animals, Water Races, Milk the Cow, Relax and enjoy nature

Smith County

• Plow Horse Produce - peas, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes,
  9531 highway 501, Forest, MS 39074. Phone: 601-900-8673. Email: kbgoss0327@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 6 am to 6 pm. Directions: From Meridian, take I-20 W to Forest exit. Turn right and at first light \(in front of Wal-Mart\) turn left. That road will dead end into highway 501. Turn right and go approximately 15 miles. Farm will be on right. U-Pick sign is at road. From Jackson take I-20 East to Forest exit. Turn left and at first light \(in front of Wal-Mart\) turn left. That road will dead end into highway 501. Turn right going south and go approximately 15 miles. Farm will be on right. U-Pick sign is at road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 601-900-8197 From Meridian, take I-20 W to Forest exit. Turn right and at first light (in front of Wal-Mart) turn left. That road will dead end into highway 501. Turn right and go approximately 15 miles. Farm will be on right. U-Pick sign is at road. From Jackson take I-20 East to Forest exit. Turn left and at first light (in front of Wal-Mart) turn left. That road will dead end into highway 501. Turn right going south and go approximately 15 miles. Farm will be on right. U-Pick sign is at roadTomatoes: June 12th to July 30, Peas: June 12th until, Okra 3rd week in JuneTomatoes: We ask that you please call prior to coming to verify availability of produce. The dates above are only estimated dates. Thank You

 

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