2024 Eastern Columbus Suburbs, Ohio Summer Squash U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Eastern Columbus Suburbs, Ohio 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.

Licking County

• Birney's Miracle Farm Market - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, beans, broad beans, cucumbers, eggplants, summer squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Honey from hives on the farm Eric and Caren
  4257 Watkins Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062. Phone: (740) 408-7750. Email: birneyfarmmarket@embarqmail.com. Open: U-pick ONLY on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10-7; market hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7 pm; closed Sunday; please call for product availability. Directions: From I-70 take the Pataskala 310 exit. Go north approximately 4 miles to State Route 16 \(Broad Street\). Make a right turn onto Broad Street and go east approximately 1-12 miles to Watkins Road. Make a left turn onto Watkins and go north approximately 1-12 miles to 4257, which is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Birney's Miracle Farm Market Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. From I-70 take the Pataskala 310 exit. Go north approximately 4 miles to State Route 16 (Broad Street). Make a right turn onto Broad Street and go east approximately 1-1/2 miles to Watkins Road. Make a left turn onto Watkins and go north approximately 1-1/2 miles to 4257, which is on the right. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. We also have bitter melon, fuzzy melon, white ball and green ball eggplant. We have several vegetables that you can pick for yourself, including the very popular tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. See our What We Grow page for a complete list of vegetables available in our pick your own fields. We have an open air stand that is stocked 7 days a week. You pick is also available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10-7. We provide bags and buckets for your use when picking. You may also bring your own bags or buckets. Most items in the you pick are sold strictly by the pound. (UPDATED: May 22, 2019) A visitor writes, on August 17, 2008: "Been going there with my family for 25 years now. A good variety of stuff, but his prices are getting a little high compared to before. Does offer you pick and product is cheaper, naturally. He usually has everything you can imagine, and then some, when it comes to vegetables. However, do not go on a Sunday because there is no way he will sell or let you pick. Also, I have been there twice this year, and no one was working both times, so I am not sure what is going on"

 

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