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Summer Squash U-Pick Orchards in Madison area of Wisconsin 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

Dane County

  • The Tree Farm - asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, Christmas trees, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant (aubergine), flowers, peas, peppers, pumpkins, rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables.
    8454 St Rd 19, Cross Plains, WI 53528. Phone: 608-798-2286. Email: treefarm@midplains.net. Open: May and June we sell asparagus and rhubarb by appointment; July and August we are open Wednesday, Thursdayand Friday, 9-noon and 4-8; Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Directions: The Tree Farm is located in Northwestern Dane County, WI, on Highway 19, four miles west of Highway 12. From Middleton take hwy 12 North and turn west \(that\'s left\) on hwy 19. From Sauk City take hwy 12 SE, turn south \(right\) on hwy KP and then east \(left\) on hwy 19. From Black Earth take hwy F north and turn east \(right\) on 19. See our website for a map and complete directions. . Click here for a map and directions. September and October we are open Wednesday, Thurs, and Friday 9-noon and 4-dusk; Saturday and Sunday 9-5 Thanksgiving we are open Friday 1:30 to 4:30; Saturday and Sunday 9-4:30 is located in Northwestern Dane County, WI, on Highway 19, four miles west of Highway 12. From Middleton take hwy 12 North and turn west (that's left) on hwy 19. From Sauk City take hwy 12 SE, turn south (right) on hwy KP and then east (left) on hwy 19. From Black Earth take hwy F north and turn east (right) on 19. See our website for a map and complete directions. Click here for a map to our farm. We raise approximately 40 different kinds of vegetables and herbs for you to pick as well as flowers to cut. A complete list of what we raise and when we expect it to be ready is available on our web site. We raise most vegetables that will grown in our climate. A complete list is available on our web site. (Updated December 22, 2010X)
  • U Pick Strawberry Farm - beans, cucumbers, peas, peppers, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, U-pick and already picked, petting zoo
    5396 Hahn Road, Deforest, WI 53532. Phone: 608-417-9485. Email: info@upickstrawberryfarm.com. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    U Pick Strawberry Farm Facebook page. . UPDATE for 2020: They are closed until the 2021 season; "It is with great disappointment we have decided on the following. The weather pattern of the 2020 strawberry season has not been ideal for our patch. Our berries have set small and medium sized. As a result of possibly disappointing our valued customers, we will not be selling our berries to the public for fresh eating." 8am to 7pm, 7 days a week; It is recommended to call/ text the berry line prior to coming out due to weather and be informed on current picking status You pick or we pick. We offer wholesale and retail pricing. We encourage fundraising efforts. Also, the educational aspect is very important to us. If you would like to tour our Berry Patch, please feel free to email or call us. At the Berry Patch you will also be able to visit some of our animals

 

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)