Zucchini can be called the most favorite vegetable both among culinary specialists and among gardeners. The unpretentiousness of this culture makes its cultivation affordable even among beginners. But to collect a rich harvest of zucchini, you need to make a little effort. Like any plant, this vegetable loves care and care. Grown zucchini seedlings at home will delight you with good fruits all summer. Let's talk about the methods of growing, selecting seeds and caring for plants.
The benefits of zucchini
Why do they like zucchini? First off, it's delicious. From them you can cook many wonderful dishes and make preparations for the winter. Secondly, it is useful. Zucchini contains many vitamins and minerals. They include potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.
The use of zucchini leads to the cleansing of the body and to its strengthening. This vegetable is recommended for diet and baby food. Zucchini is used even in cosmetology. In addition, the fruits of this plant can be stored for a very long time, while retaining all its beneficial qualities.
Varieties of zucchini
To grow a rich harvest, you need to know which varieties to choose. In each region, benefits may be given to different species. But there are those who successfully cultivate almost the entire territory of the country. What varieties of zucchini are best planted? It all depends on the result that you expect from the future harvest.
The early ripening representatives include the Tsukesha variety, which has long been familiar to many gardeners, as well as the White Swan, Zebra, Gribovsky 37, Zolotinka, Rolik, Helena, Squorushka, Waterfall, Odessa 52 and some others. Having planted them, you can count on an earlier harvest of fruits. Mid-season grades are
Jade, Black Beauty and Macaroni. And, finally, plants that give a later harvest are Long-fruited and Nutty. Modern selection has allowed to develop new varieties. They allow you to harvest during the summer until late autumn.
Zucchini squash
I would also like to talk about zucchini squash. Their fruits have a slightly elongated shape and a dark green color. That color is their main difference from ordinary zucchini. On average, one zucchini fruit can weigh from 1 to 1.5 kilograms. These varieties include Tsukesh, Zebra and Aeronaut. The latter variety is distinguished by early harvests. Already on the 47th day after germination, the first harvest of fruits occurs.
The taste of zucchini is not much different from simple zucchini. However, many people give preference to them. When choosing which varieties of zucchini are best planted, focus on the proven species recommended by experienced gardeners. Consider all the features of the local climate. But do not forget about the latest breeding, which may be more optimal for planting.
Squash planting time
When to plant zucchini for seedlings? This question is asked by all inexperienced gardeners. It is necessary to choose the right period so that the plants are planted in open ground at the most suitable moment. Mistakes in agricultural technology can lead to developmental delays and poor harvests. Usually planting zucchini for seedlings is carried out from mid-March to mid-May. It all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. After 25-30 days, seedlings will need to be planted in open ground. Therefore, you can easily calculate when to plant zucchini on seedlings. The average time for planting in open ground is from the end of May to mid-June. This should not be done later, since the plant will not have time to gain full strength.
Seed germination
The first thing to do is sprout the seeds. This process is not necessary, but improves the quality of seedlings and increases the percentage of germination. We select delicious varieties of zucchini and spread the seeds in any not very deep container. At the bottom we put cotton wool or plain toilet paper.
We also cover the seeds with any of these materials from above and moisten them with water. It must be ensured that they do not dry out. After a while, the seeds will swell and sprouts will appear. We do not remove the sprouted grains, and prepare the rest for planting. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to soak them for several hours in a weak solution of manganese.
Capacity for landing
Sowing zucchini seeds is carried out both in closed and in open ground. For growing seedlings, it is better to use separate containers for each seed. It can be peat cups, which are very convenient, since they do not require subsequent removal during planting. Zucchini, like the rest of the plants of this family, do not like transplants. Therefore, they should be disturbed as little as possible during this event. Planting zucchini on seedlings can be carried out in small paper cups, cardboard packaging made from milk and other containers. As practice shows, experienced gardeners find a lot of cheap tools at hand.
Landing soil
Zucchini seedlings at home do not require a special soil composition. It should be fertile soil, which can be purchased in specialized stores. You can prepare the land for planting yourself.
To do this, take six parts of peat and mix it with two parts of humus and sod land. One part of the sawdust is added to them. To make the mixture more saturated with useful substances, half a glass of ash, 5 grams of nitrate or urea, 15 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium sulfate are mixed in (on a bucket). Now the soil is ready for growing seedlings.
Planting seeds in pots
If you have decided when to plant zucchini for seedlings, then you can start this process. We fill the glasses with prepared nutrient soil. Then spill them with hot water or a weak solution of manganese. Germinated seeds are laid to a depth of about 2-3 centimeters. It is necessary that the sprout is directed down. From above the seed is covered with earth. The optimum temperature for the emergence of seedlings is about 18-25 degrees. After the appearance of sprouts, it can be reduced to 15-20 degrees. Seedlings require a lot of light. With its lack, it will become too long and weak.
Watering seedlings
How much and when to water the squash? Seedlings, the cultivation of which is not difficult, require moisture as needed. It must be ensured that the topsoil does not dry out. Young plants are very delicate and will not tolerate sudden changes in conditions.
For irrigation use water at room temperature. Too much waterlogging of plants is not necessary. Everything should be in moderation. Spraying seedlings does not require. Loosening the top layer also should not be so as not to damage the delicate, young shoots.
Top dressing
Do you need to fertilize zucchini? Seedlings, the cultivation and care of which does not require much effort, need fertilizer. The first time they should be added about 10 days after the appearance of the sprouts. The solution is prepared from a weak infusion of mullein. Contribute about 50 milligrams under each plant. Also use a solution of urea (half a small spoon per liter) or the drug "Bud" (2 grams per liter of water). As a top dressing, you can also use any growth stimulants, which are sold in large quantities in specialized stores. Read the instructions carefully and follow its instructions. After 10 days, you can reapply fertilizers. After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, plants can be planted. Zucchini seeds are sown in open ground when the soil warms up well enough. But it is better to use the method of growing seedlings.
Choosing a place to land
Zucchini love the sun. Therefore, windless, sunny areas are best suited for outdoor cultivation. After planting, zucchini is returned to its original place only after 3-4 years. The best precursors for this crop are legumes, potatoes, some types of cabbage (white and cauliflower), garlic and onions. After cucumbers, squash and pumpkin squash is better not to plant. Knowing all the subtleties when planting zucchini on seedlings, how to care for them and planting them in open ground, you can grow a rich harvest.
Land preparation for landing
Preparatory work begins long before zucchini is planted on seedlings, when it is too early to sow, and the land needs to be prepared. In the fall, the plot is fertilized with manure or compost at the rate of a bucket per square meter of land. Superphosphate (30-35 g per square meter) and potassium fertilizers (15-20 g per square meter) are also added.
Then the site is dug up and left until early spring. After the snow melts, the earth is slightly loosened, 15-20 grams of
ammonium nitrate per 1 square meter are introduced and dug up. If the soil is sandy, then add dry clay and sawdust. If the earth is clayey, bring river sand, manure or humus.
How to plant
We found out how to plant zucchini on seedlings, when to plant and how to care. But no less important is their landing in the open ground. It is important that previous efforts are not wasted. Zucchini is a large plant that grows strongly during the summer, so they are planted at a sufficient distance. Between the rows should be left about one and a half meters, and between the bushes of seedlings - about one. Before planting, add organic fertilizer to each well. Take it about one tablespoon and mix with the ground. You can use ready-made substrates, which are sold in specialized stores. Also add the solution "Agricola-5" (a tablespoon in a bucket of water). Pour a liter into each well.
Planting seedlings is best done in the morning, in cloudy weather. If the sun is shining, then it is better to transfer this procedure to the evening. Seedlings are planted with peat cups without damaging their integrity. Deepen the plants to the first leaves. If cooling is still expected, then a temporary greenhouse should be made. In the first days after planting, you can loosen the soil.
Zucchini Care
With proper plant care, you can count on getting good yields. Zucchini does not require complex agricultural techniques. It is necessary to timely remove weeds and loosen the soil. Pour these vegetables with warm water. Plants require more moisture during the ripening period. Once a week, zucchini can be fed with a mixture of urea (1 kg), potassium sulfate (1 kg), nitrophosphate (6 kg), magnesium sulfate (1 kg) and boric acid (15 grams). You can also use a solution of mullein or bird droppings. Large leaves must be removed. Conduct a timely harvest so that the plant has the opportunity to form new fruits.