[viettaclark]

I'm doing courgettes AND pattypans this year and learned from previous years not to sow too many seeds! It looks like I've got 2 courgettes at the moment and 5 pattypans but I hope more will come up. If not, it's not too late to sow some more!
Last year I had just 3 courgettes and could've done with a couple more but they were in potato sacks rather than the soil like this year.
How many plants of each do you think I will need for a family of 6 (and some for family/friends I suppose)?
Research has given me loads of info on planting/growing but nothing on yields.
Has anyone got any idea, please?

[BabbyAnn]

I think a lot depends on variety - some are so prolific that no sooner have I picked, there's already more ready to take their place.  My more successful varieties have been Defender, Floridor, Jemmer, Tondo Charo di Nizza but Zucchini and Black Beauty were not so.  Patty Pans - they don't seem to be as prolific as courgettes and from experience start to produce fruit a bit later in the season.

[radiohead]

We had 4 defender on our plot last year,grown on stations with a barrowful of horse manure under each plant.....we were inundated,just couldnt keep up with them.
This year I'm only doing two.....sods law it'll be a bad year for courgettes and I'll wish I'd put in more.
Also two turks turbans...which were great fun last year and a lot tastier than I expected.
Trying BNS again this year despite 2 plants last year and not one single fruit .....I've put them on stations same as the courgettes this year....any other tips for BNS success?

[MiklovesHerb(s)]

is it too late to grow summer squash from seed?

[radiohead]

No,definately not.....you've still got plenty of time if you get them in now.

[bigben]

is it too late to grow summer squash from seed?

No - get them planted - quite few people have only just started theirs. I planted mine a while back and have put them out but they are not growing and some even look like they might die because of the cold patch we are having. The worst that is likely to happen for you is you have to wait a few weeks longer but they will be going out at the right time.

[TerryB]

No, still lots  of time to plant members of the squash family, they grow very quickly.
I've only just put my chitted courgette seeds into pots.

I think Summer Squash are Cucumbers and Courgettes.
Soft skinned and will not keep, used in summer

Winter Squash, Butter Nut, Turks Turbans etc
Hard skinned and will keep into winter

[MiklovesHerb(s)]

Cool thanks, what everyone option on the best ones?

we have corgettes and pumpkins but fancied some of the smaller summer and winter squashes..there is only two of us so don't need a huge pumpkin really - well except for pie!

[Mazzie]

I got over 40 patty pans from one squash last year!  I picked them about tennis ball and smaller and the more you pick the more you will get 

[cooperman]

courgettes varieties are very prolific and if you plant more than a couple of plants you will be totally cheezed off with them by the end of the season together with all your neighbours!

If nothing else plant on spare ground as they stop the weeds growing!! hehe