squash

Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'

Cucurbita pepo

Grow Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint' starting from these squash seeds to harvest the young squash fruits for the tenderness of their flesh. Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvest the fruits while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. Cut the fruit stalk rather than twisting the stem. Distinguish this picking stage from harvesting fully mature winter squash fruits. Sow directly in the garden after the last frost. You can also start the seeds indoors in containers, sowing them 2 to 5 weeks before the planned planting date. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 cm (0.8 in).
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Detailed plant guide
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Quantity
±25 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Life cycle
Annual

Discover the plant

Common nameSquash
FamilyCucurbitaceae
GenusCucurbita
Speciespepo
CultivarBenning
TypeOpen-pollinated seeds
Botanical nameCucurbita pepo
Reproducible seedsYes
Heirloom varietyYes

Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint' belongs to Cucurbita pepo. Pale green pattypan squash, almost white. Excellent flavour. Harvest young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in.) in diameter. It can be eaten either raw or cooked. A non-vining plant that can grow large in fertile soil, reaching 0.9 to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft.) wide. Mature fruits keep for a long time and, once peeled, can be used in soups, purées, cakes and more. These characteristics help you choose its position in the garden and compare this selection with other cultivars in the same group.

Choose a location in full sun with soil that is rich and drains well after watering. Sow directly after the last frost, or start indoors 2 to 5 weeks beforehand. Protect young plants from insects. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 cm (0.8 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. In Quebec, wait for the soil and nights to warm before planting out; the last frost date varies by location. Gradually get the plants started indoors accustomed to outdoor wind and direct sunlight before you plant them out in the garden.

Zucchini-type squash and pattypan squash intended for cooking are generally picked young, when the skin and seeds are still tender. Check the plants regularly, as the fruits can grow quickly between visits. Cut their fruit stems with a clean tool and avoid pulling on the stems. Keep accessible space around the foliage to see hidden fruits and water at the base. Maximum size does not always represent the best culinary stage. Discard damaged fruits; if a squash has unusual bitterness, stop eating it and discard the preparation. Keep these vegetable seeds dry until the next sowing.

Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'

Sowing guide

It all startswith a seed.

Sowing depth

2 cm (0.8 in)

Spacing / density

60 cm (23.6 in)

Sowing period

Direct sow in the garden after the last frost. You can also start seeds in containers indoors 2 to 5 weeks before.

Propagation

Seed sowing

Growing method

These seed-starting tips for Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint' concern gardening in Quebec and can be adjusted to local frost risks. Sow directly in the garden after the last frost. You can also start the seeds indoors in containers, sowing them 2 to 5 weeks before the planned planting date. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 cm (0.8 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. This crop is identified as Cucurbita pepo. Reserve an area for trailing stems rather than letting them cover neighbouring rows. Place fruit on a clean support if the soil remains moist. Leave an aisle for observing and cutting them without trampling the stems that support them. Prepare the final growing site and seed-starting supplies first. For seed starting in pots, moisten the growing mix before filling the cells, then sow without compressing it into a hard mass. For direct sowing, remove large soil clods and mark a row that you can locate again after watering. Distribute seeds according to the intended spacing rather than pouring several into one spot. Water the growing medium gently so that the flow of water does not displace the seeds you have sown. Once the seedlings have emerged, keep the healthy young plants and allow enough space for them to continue developing. If seedlings are started indoors, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before planting them out. Handle the root ball carefully without pulling on the stem. Transplant into prepared soil, then water to help the soil settle into contact with the root ball. Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing.

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Care level

Moderate

Watering

For Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', adjust watering to the stage of growth. Monitor the root ball as fruit develops, without waiting for the potting mix to dry out completely before acting. Water the seedbed gently so that the seeds remain in place. After establishment, check moisture near the roots rather than judging only by the appearance of the leaves. Direct water to the base and adjust the amount according to rainfall. Check a wind-exposed container more often; excess water must be able to drain freely.

Soil type

When growing Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', choose fertile soil. The plant can spread 0.9 to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft) wide. Prepare soil that the roots can explore, without large clods around the seeds. Assess drainage after rain as well: water should not remain around the crown for long. In containers, use a growing mix rather than heavy, compacted garden soil. The fertility requirements described for this plant should guide additions, without automatically adding large amounts of compost.

Fertilization

When feeding Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', begin with the fertility of the growing medium. Do not try to produce a large mass of leaves by applying heavy amounts of nitrogen; respect the actual needs of this crop. Before applying fertilizer, examine the soil or growing mix already in use. Measure each application according to the label and the crop's needs, without combining several products at once. In containers, account for nutrients already present in the growing mix. A plant that is suffering from a lack of water cannot be helped simply by applying additional fertilizer.

Moisture

Even moisture without saturation

Seasonal care

When caring for Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', take the following characteristic into account: Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in.). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. During growth, observe the fruit and its colour without abruptly turning the stems. Avoid damaging the skin with a tool. In autumn, separate intact fruit from fruit to cook promptly; good storage potential does not make a damaged squash fruit keep well. Start the season with a prepared site and labelled seedlings. During emergence, check that moisture reaches the seed zone without creating a persistent puddle. After planting, observe establishment before adding more fertilizer or pruning. Remove small weeds and check damaged leaves so that isolated damage is not mistaken for a need for fertilizer. Throughout summer, adjust watering to the condition of the soil and the rain received. Check support ties after windy weather, and do not let a tie constrict a thickening stem. Make cuts with a clean tool; do not remove a healthy stem simply to improve the view. In fall, separate what should be harvested, left in place or removed according to the plant's life cycle. After detaching the stems, put the supports away and clean your tools; take care not to move diseased plant debris into other growing areas. Whether the plant returns in spring depends on its stated life cycle, not simply on the word garden in its description. Harvest the fruits while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. The recommended location is full sun.

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Width / spread

Approximately 90 to 180 cm (3 to 6 ft)

Fruiting

For harvesting Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', follow the stage specific to this crop. Harvest the fruits while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. Cut the fruit stalk rather than twisting the stem. Distinguish this picking stage from harvesting fully mature winter squash fruits. Monitor the parts to be harvested as they develop. The stated timing does not replace this crop's specific signs of maturity or tenderness. Cut or harvest without injuring neighbouring stems.

Days to maturity

50 days for young fruit

Harvest

Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvest the fruits while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. Cut the fruit stalk rather than twisting the stem. Distinguish this picking stage from harvesting fully mature winter squash fruits.
Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

When choosing companions for Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', consider light, access and space. Place this plant alongside crops with compatible light and moisture needs, preserving the space required for its foliage. Plan companion planting around the available space and growing requirements. Leave enough light and air around the plant, and keep taller neighbours from covering its foliage. A practical arrangement of plants makes watering and harvesting easier to manage; it does not, by itself, guarantee protection against insect pests or an increase in yield. Keep every crop accessible and maintain its individual spacing.

Recipe idea

From the gardento your plate.

Edible parts

Fruit flesh at the documented edible stage
Here is a preparation suited to cooking the harvest from Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'. Prepare sautéed young squash fruits. Rinse the fruits, remove the ends and cut them into similarly sized slices. At this immature stage, check that the skin and seeds are still tender. Sauté the pieces in a little oil, then add garlic and herbs near the end of cooking. Serve when the flesh is tender without having become a purée. The young squash fruits can also be incorporated into an omelette or into a soup made with vegetables. Do not expect the texture of a young fruit from a squash that has hardened: uses change with maturity. For a fresh preparation, use only a stage that the supplier describes as suitable for eating raw. Discard any fruit with unusual bitterness. This recipe is intended for quick cooking and consumption, not for preserving vegetables in the pantry. Keep the leftovers refrigerated and choose fruits that are intact, cleaning them before cutting. Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions,answered.

How do you start Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint' from seed?
For Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', sow directly in the garden after the last frost. You can also start the seeds indoors in containers, sowing them 2 to 5 weeks before the planned planting date. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 cm (0.8 in). Leave 60 cm (23.6 in) between plants. To choose a sowing date in Quebec, begin with your local frost risk, then apply the timing recommended for this crop. Always plan indoor seed starting by counting backwards from the expected planting date; do not start the seeds too early simply on principle. Prepare containers before sowing and label the variety. Maintain moisture suited to the seeds without leaving standing water. When sowing directly in the garden, prepare the row before distributing the seeds and water gently.
How much space should you allow for Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'?
When growing Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in.). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Reserve an area for trailing stems rather than letting them cover neighbouring rows. Place fruit on a clean support if the soil remains moist. Leave an aisle for observing and cutting them without trampling the stems that support them. Choose the position according to this plant's habit and growth, then leave access for watering and cutting. If the plants require a support, put it in place before their stems begin to grow longer. The distance between plants does not replace a working aisle.
How should you manage watering for Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'?
For Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', monitor the root ball as fruit develops, without waiting for the potting mix to dry out completely before acting. Check the growing mix or soil near the roots before watering. Water must reach the root ball, and excess water must then be able to drain from the container or soil. Recent rain, wind and heat affect how often watering is needed. Water at the base rather than routinely wetting the flowers and foliage. When a plant wilts, check its root ball as well: adding water to an already saturated root ball will not solve every problem. Use a gentle stream when watering newly sown seeds. During growth, observe the fruit and its colour without abruptly turning the stems. Avoid damaging the skin with a tool. In autumn, separate intact fruit from fruit to cook promptly; good storage potential does not make a damaged squash fruit keep well.
How should you monitor the development of Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'?
The growth of Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint' follows this profile. Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. During growth, observe the fruit and its colour without abruptly turning the stems. Avoid damaging the skin with a tool. In autumn, separate intact fruit from fruit to cook promptly; good storage potential does not make a damaged squash fruit keep well. Harvest the fruits while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. Cut the fruit stalk rather than twisting the stem. Distinguish this picking stage from harvesting fully mature winter squash fruits.
What growth stage should you look for in Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint'?
For Pattypan squash 'Benning's Green Tint', harvest the fruit while still young, before the skin and seeds harden. Check the size and growth stage specified for the variety. Cut the fruit stalk rather than twisting the stem. Distinguish this picking stage from harvesting fully mature winter squash fruits. Benning’s Green Tint is a pale green, almost white pattypan squash, harvested young at 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 4 in). Its growth habit is bushy rather than trailing. The supplier lists 50 days; young fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. The schedule is a guide, but observing the plant determines the right moment. Follow the recommended stage for the part harvested, and distinguish botanical maturity from culinary quality. Harvest with a clean tool when the stem resists, and immediately sort out damaged parts. For a bouquet flower, choose a healthy stem when this use is confirmed.