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Yellow Pattypan Squash (Sunburst)

Cucurbita pepo 'Sunburst'

A cheerful and productive summer squash that produces bright yellow, scalloped fruits with a distinctive flying saucer shape that adds whimsy to any garden. This compact bush variety is perfect for small gardens and delivers tender, mild-flavored squash that's ideal for stuffing, grilling, or eating fresh when harvested young. The attractive plants produce continuously throughout the season, providing both ornamental value and delicious harvests.

Harvest

50-55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Yellow Pattypan Squash (Sunburst) in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Yellow Pattypan Squash (Sunburst) · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing36-42 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, even moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorMild, tender, slightly sweet with delicate texture

ColorBright golden yellow

Size3-4 inches diameter when young, up to 6 inches

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – September
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	July – September
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	July – August
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	June – August
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	May – July
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	May – June

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: var. CylindricaZucchini Squash, var. Cylindrica. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

A type of berry called a pepo that has a hard rind. Fruits may be long or round, large or small, smooth or warty– some have edible flesh and some are too hard or insipid to eat, though the seeds of all are edible. Has a harder, thicker stem compared to other species.

Color: Black, Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Red/Burgundy, Variegated, White. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Yellow Pattypan Sunburst squash stores best at room temperature for 3-5 days or refrigerated in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Don't wash until ready to use, and store in perforated plastic bags to maintain proper humidity while preventing condensation buildup.

For longer preservation, blanch sliced pattypan in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. Their compact shape makes them excellent for pickling whole when harvested at 1-2 inches diameter - the mild flavor pairs beautifully with dill and garlic in quick pickle brines.

Dehydrating works well for mature fruits - slice into 1/4-inch rounds and dry until leathery for use in soups and stews. Larger specimens can be stuffed with rice, meat, or vegetable mixtures and frozen whole after par-cooking for convenient future meals.

History & Origin

Origin: North America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Marigolds

Deters squash vine borers, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

Radishes

Repels squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, quick harvest before squash spreads

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil for heavy-feeding squash and provide natural pest deterrent

Corn

Provides natural trellis structure and shade, traditional Three Sisters companion

Catnip

Strongly repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and ants

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on squash pests

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest protection with aromatic oils

Keep Apart

Potatoes

Compete for similar nutrients and space, both are heavy feeders that deplete soil

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants including squash through allelopathic compounds

Brassicas

Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete with squash and may stunt growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

26kcal(1%)

Protein

0.52g(1%)

Carbs

5.64g(2%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.5mg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

205mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168040)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common summer squash diseases

Common Pests

Squash bug, cucumber beetle, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Yellow Pattypan Sunburst squash take to grow?▼

Yellow Pattypan Sunburst matures in 50-55 days from planting to first harvest. You'll see flowers appear around 35-40 days, with small fruits ready to harvest about 7-10 days after flowering. The compact bush habit means faster establishment than vining varieties, and continuous harvesting every few days keeps plants producing until first frost.

Can you grow Yellow Pattypan squash in containers?▼

Yes, Sunburst is excellent for container growing due to its compact 3-foot bush habit. Use containers at least 20 gallons with drainage holes, and provide full sun and consistent watering. The shallow root system adapts well to containers, making this variety ideal for patio gardens, raised beds, or small spaces where traditional vining squashes won't fit.

What does Yellow Pattypan Sunburst taste like?▼

Sunburst has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with tender, delicate texture when harvested young at 2-4 inches. The taste is less intense than zucchini but more flavorful than yellow crookneck. Young fruits are perfect for eating raw in salads, while larger ones develop a slightly nutty flavor ideal for stuffing or grilling. The skin is completely edible when harvested at proper size.

When should I plant Yellow Pattypan squash?▼

Plant Sunburst after soil temperature reaches 65°F and all frost danger has passed, typically 2-3 weeks after your last spring frost date. In most regions, this means late May to early June. For fall harvests, plant 10-12 weeks before first expected frost. You can succession plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-summer for continuous harvests.

Is Yellow Pattypan Sunburst good for beginners?▼

Absolutely! Sunburst is considered one of the easiest summer squashes for beginners. The compact bush habit requires no staking, it has good disease resistance, and produces reliably with basic care. Fast 50-55 day maturity means quick gratification, and the distinctive shape makes harvest timing obvious. Just remember to harvest regularly to keep plants producing.

Yellow Pattypan vs zucchini - what's the difference?▼

Yellow Pattypan Sunburst has a distinctive scalloped, disk shape compared to zucchini's elongated form. Flavor-wise, pattypan is milder and slightly sweeter than zucchini. Sunburst grows in compact bushes while most zucchini varieties vine more extensively. Both mature at similar rates, but pattypan's unique shape makes them perfect for stuffing and more visually interesting in garden beds.