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Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Northeastern Washington State 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.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Spokane County

  • Garden Gate Lavender Farm - Uses natural growing practices, carrots, cucumbers, flowers, herbs or spices, rhubarb, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, lavender, Honey from hives on the farm, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
    16511 W Deno Rd, Medical Lake, WA 99022. Phone: 509-244-0767. Email: admin@gardengatelavender.com. Open: Please visit our website for our Current Summer Hours. Directions: From Spokane take I-90 West to Hyw 2, Go Past FAFB main gate, turn right on Dover, Right on Deno to entrance gate. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Crops are usually available in May through September. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicU-Pick Lavender culinary and fragrant varieties. Festival 2nd weekend in July. (UPDATED: June 24, 2016)
  • Hansen's Green Bluff Orchard LLC - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, cherries, currants (red and black), flowers, grapes, peaches, plums, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, summer squash, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, restrooms, picnic area
    8215 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: 509-238-4902. Email: hansenrtkd@aol.com. Open: daily 9am to 5pm as fruit ripens, starting in July; Call or check website for closures. Directions: We\'re located on the historic west side of Green Bluff, north of Spokane WA. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. We're located on the historic west side of Green Bluff, north of Spokane WACherries in July, peaches in August, apples and cider throughout September and October; Choose your own Christmas Trees day after Thanksgiving. We use integrated pest management practices
  • Knapp's U-Pick - blackberries, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tayberries, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals
    7722 E Ballard Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-2640. Email: knapps@windwireless.net. Directions: North of Spokane on the West side of Green Bluff. We are the second place on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
    Knapp's U-Pick Facebook page. . Click here for a map to our farm. Strawberries June to July, Tayberries July, Black Raspberries July, Summer Red Raspberries July, Fall Red and Yellow Raspberries September, Blackberries August and September, Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Fall Farm Fun October;We are located just 15 minutes north of Spokane, Washington. This plateau grows wonderful fruit and vegetables. We grow Raspberries (Red, Golden & Black), Tayberries and Blackberries. Bring your picnic, pick some berries, relax and enjoy the quiet of the country! facebook page

 

Summer Squash

Summer Squash Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

summer squashSummer 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)