2024 Omaha and Eastern Nebraska Summer Squash U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Omaha and Eastern Nebraska 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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Cass County

• Chisholm Family Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, cucumbers, herbs or spices, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs, picnic area, farm animals
  27107 Fletcher Ave, Elmwood, NE 68349. Phone: 402-440-9409. Email: laura@chisholmfamilyfarm.com. Directions: From Lincoln head Take US-34 to highway 79 and head north. Go about six miles and you will see the flashing red light at Raymond Road. Go two more miles and turn left onto Davey Road. We are second house. see sign that says Fresh Eggs. From Lincoln - Head north on 14th Street at Superior. Turn left at flashing red light \(Raymond Road\) Turn right on highwhillcrestay 79 \(flashing red light\) go 2 miles and turn left onto Davey Road. We are second house on left see sign that says Fresh Eggs. - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. UPDATE for 2019, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were We have moved; We do not currently have any produce available to pick with the move but still have our farm stand/store with meats, eggs, and dairy available most days; Sunday we are home in the afternoon after church; Again, call or email for availability and so I can be sure to be home; We are a small 20 acre farm not a large facility;; I am happy to do small homeschool tours to show the difference between grass - fed farming and dairyFrom Lincoln head Take US-34 to highway 79 and head north. Go about six miles and you will see the flashing red light at Raymond Road. Go two more miles and turn left onto Davey Road. We are second house. see sign that says Fresh Eggs. From Lincoln - Head north on 14th Street at Superior. Turn left at flashing red light (Raymond Road) Turn right on highwhillcrestay 79 (flashing red light) go 2 miles and turn left onto Davey Road. We are second house on left see sign that says Fresh EggsSquashes available from July - September depending on the year; Our garden is only about a half an acre so call or email for availability; I am happy to pick for you or you can pick for yourself; We have pie pumpkins available from September - November; Again, just check on availability. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certificationWe are a pasture based farm located just north of Lincoln, NE. We follow all organic/holistic farming methods and are a soy-free farm

Douglas County

• Nelson Produce Farm - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, melons, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area you may bring your own food, train rides (train on a track), pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
  10505 N. 234th St, Valley, NE 68064. Phone: (402) 830-0567. Email: nelsonproduce@gmail.com. Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday open June 4 through October 30; Hours of operations 9 am;to 5 pm. Directions: We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, SFMNP Vouchers.
  Nelson Produce Farm Facebook page. Home of Nebraska's only Sunflower Festival over Labor Day Weekend. Check website for exact dates of this festival. (ADDED: February 10, 2020)

Richardson County

• Hill Top Gardens - cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked, events at your location (call for info)
  65040 707 Trail, Falls City, NE 68355. Phone: 402-245-4330. Email: dwfmvf@hotmail.com. Open: July 4 Friday Saturday and Sundays 10 am till 7 pm or as soon as vegetables are ready oriental vegetables call for specific items. Directions: From State Highway 73 turn West at Home Lumber or Merz Farm Equipment on 707 Trail go one Mile on Gravel road we are on the right just passed the railroad tracks. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. l, Falls City, NE 68355Alternate Phone: 402-801-0949 Watermelon and other melon picking begins in the middle of August or as soon as melons are ready call for availability; Pumpkin picking opens in last week of SeptemberMany Oriental vegetables such as Kang Kong, Eggplant, long beans, Bittermelon, Opo, Gabi, Oriental sweet potatoes, Sihkim, and many more call for specific vegetables.

 

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