Moonbeam Squash

Moonbeam Squash is a hybrid patty-pan or scallop squash variety with white fruits. These fruits look like miniature pies with a white outer flesh, pale green inner flesh and scalloped edges. Moonbeam Squash is a high-yielding variety with fruits growing on open bush plants. Fruits can get as large as 6-7″ in diameter, but are best harvested at 3-4″. Patty pan squash are absolutely delicious and have a firmer texture and nuttier flavor than a traditional summer squash. Cut these into wedges and saute with onions and peppers for an excellent fresh garden dish.

Squash may be direct seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting squash seeds every 12″ along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.

Squash are a crop that will require multiple harvests throughout the growing season. Regardless of variety, squash will have better flavor and texture when harvested on the small end of the spectrum. We recommend harvesting every 2-3 days to ensure no fruits become too large and unpalatable. When squash plants cease production, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all squash varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.

Moonbeam Squash Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/2″

Seed Spacing: 18-24″

Row Spacing: 5-6′

Days to Maturity: 50

Disease Resistance: None