Proper cultivation of zucchini and care in open ground: secrets of agricultural technology for obtaining an excellent harvest
Europeans began eating zucchini only two centuries ago, and learned about its beneficial properties even later. Indeed, the vegetable contains a unique vitamin and mineral composition. Zucchini has a weakly expressed taste, which means they can be combined with many products.
Everyone who grows them strives to get a rich harvest of zucchini. Let us further examine the secrets of proper cultivation of vegetables and the features of caring for them.
How to get a rich harvest of zucchini
The vegetable does not cause much trouble in caring for it. By nature, it loves warmth and light, so to plant zucchini on your site, select a spacious and windless place. Below we will consider in detail the basic rules of planting and care.
Then plant
Experienced farmers recommend planting the plant after legumes, cauliflower and cabbage, tomatoes or potatoes. Zucchini is grown in the free area of the garden, using small plots of land around the perimeter for 1-2 plants. Many place the vegetable in potato beds, planting on the east or north side.
Important! Under no circumstances should you plant zucchini after cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash.
Preparing and planting seeds
The main stage of seed preparation is disinfection. It is carried out to destroy dangerous microorganisms on the surface of the seed material. If the seeds are not disinfected, the risk of developing fungi and infections in the future is very high.
To disinfect, place the seeds in a fabric bag, which is immersed in a solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. Afterwards, take out the seeds and place them in the sun, so they dry on all sides. The drug “Zircon” is also used as a disinfectant. The seeds are soaked in it at room temperature for 6-8 hours. “Zircon” increases productivity and improves plant immunity.
For planting you will need a container with nutritious soil. Make small holes in the ground 1-2 cm deep, place them there seeds and sprinkle soil on top. Immediately water the seedlings with warm, settled water, placing them in a warm and bright place.
Don't forget to care for the seedlings. Young sprouts need timely watering and fertilizing, as well as an optimal temperature of at least 20 degrees. Water the sprouts every 5-7 days.
Carry out the first feeding after 2 weeks, then the interval between them is 10-15 days. Seedlings accept organic fertilizers well in the form of bird droppings, ash solution or nettles.
Choosing a location on the site
The ideal place for planting is a bed after peas or cabbage, located on the south side of the garden. It is better to plant zucchini in sandy, fertile soil. The site must be protected from winds. It is also undesirable to have underground groundwater nearby.
Once the location is chosen, begin disinfecting and fertilizing it. Use Carbation as a disinfectant. The concentrate is diluted to 2% aqueous solution and used in soil cultivation. "Carbation" has a wide range of uses and protects the plant from root rot and blackleg. You can buy it at any gardening store.When using, do not neglect the manufacturer's recommendations and follow the exact dosages.
Fertilize the soil with superphosphate or ammonium nitrate. For example, make a solution based on 30 g of superphosphate and add 1 cup of wood ash to it. Apply fertilizer in dry weather and immediately dig up the beds using a spade to avoid crust formation.
Transplanting
How to plant seedlings in the ground? Choose a cloudy and windless day for planting. It is recommended to plant seedlings with clods of earth on the roots so that the plant takes root better. Be careful not to damage the still immature stems and leaves.
After placing the sprout in the ground, cover its roots with a generous amount of soil. After this, water the zucchini with settled water. For 1 sq. m plant 2-3 plants.
How to care for zucchini during fruiting
Firstly, they double the irrigation rate by 1 square meter. m pour about 15 liters of water. Water in the afternoon, the water temperature should be at least 25 degrees. Secondly, special attention is paid to the application of fertilizers during fruiting. It is important not to let the zucchini wither: use double superphosphate or urea.
Important! During the fruiting period, gardeners use growth stimulants at the rate of 2 liters of solution per 10 square meters. m.
Bush formation
Zucchini is most often formed into 1 or 2 stems. Additional shoots (stepchildren) are removed when the length of the zucchini reaches 10-15 cm. It is recommended to do this 2 times a week. If the plant has grown greatly, then during the fruiting period 2-3 leaves are removed, which cover the vegetables from the sun's rays. When forming, be careful, because one awkward movement can break the brushes with still unripe zucchini.
Hilling and loosening
These procedures provide oxygen access to the plant. The first loosening is carried out a week after planting the seedlings in the ground. It is better to combine it with weeding and weed removal.
Loosening makes the soil more airy and nutritious. Hilling up bushes helps the soil to perfectly transmit heat and moisture, which is also indispensable for the plant.
Temperature
The optimal air temperature for growing zucchini is at least 22 degrees. In this case, it is necessary to maintain a normal level of air humidity - about 18 degrees. The water temperature for irrigation is at least 25 degrees.
Watering, fertilizing and fertilizers
Water the zucchini at the rate of 0.5 liters of water per bush. It is best to do this once every 10 days. Remember that cold water increases the risk of developing various diseases. A week before harvest, watering is stopped altogether. Zucchini is not one of those that like high humidity, so do not allow too much water. Focus on weather conditions: if the summer is hot and rainy, reduce the amount of water.
Mullein infusion or urea is excellent for feeding. Organics are especially useful during flowering and fruiting periods. Gardeners also recommend scattering humus, peat or dry chicken droppings between the rows of zucchini. When watered, they provide the zucchini with nutrition and vitamins.
Among mineral fertilizers, pay special attention to superphosphate. Make a solution using 30 g of superphosphate and 1 g of boric acid. Apply fertilizer at the root of each plant; it will provide the plant with the necessary supply of minerals.
Topping
Zucchini does not need pinching. The main thing is to harvest as soon as the vegetable reaches 15-20 cm in length.
Zucchini is formed on the central stem, so harvesting is carried out 2 times a week. However, if the zucchini variety is large and the bushes grow strongly, then some farmers still pinch them. This is necessary to slow down the growth of the bush.
How to feed zucchini during flowering
A yeast solution is an excellent way to feed zucchini during the flowering period. It stimulates the development of bushes and saturates the soil with the necessary bacteria.
Yeast is also useful for the root system of the plant, developing resistance to changes in climatic conditions.
The solution is prepared from the following components:
- 80 g dry yeast;
- 8 g sugar;
- 4 g ascorbic acid;
- 10 liters of filtered water.
The elements are mixed and infused for 24 hours. It is better to treat plants after watering. Yeast solution is affordable and environmentally friendly for zucchini.
We fight pests and diseases
Zucchini is occasionally attacked by mole crickets. This insect eats the root part of the bush, which subsequently causes the vegetable itself to rot. To combat the pest, use Medvetox, placing the drug granules in the holes. Gardeners also note the effects of mucus that appears on leaves and stems. To prevent its occurrence, spray zucchini with a solution of wood ash.
The most common disease that zucchini suffers from is bacteriosis. The reason for its appearance is wet soil and improper care. When infected, the ovaries turn yellow and rot. Because of this, vegetables stop developing. To combat bacteriosis, use the drugs “Fundazol” or “Topaz”.
Collection and storage
It is recommended to collect zucchini as soon as they have grown to 15-30 cm. There is no need to overexpose the vegetables, as this can harm the entire bush.Harvested immediately eaten or store in a dark and cool place. It is better if it is a dry basement or cellar.
For the longest possible storage, the crop is harvested before frost sets in.. Selected vegetables should have a thick skin and stem, which will dry out over time and become a protection against infection.
Important! After harvesting, do not wash the zucchini with water, but simply wipe them with a dry cloth and place them in the sun for a day.
Popular questions
On gardener forums, the peculiarities of growing crops and the secrets of a rich harvest are discussed. Here are the answers to several questions that are most frequently asked online.
Barren flower on zucchini - what to do?
A barren flower is a flower that does not produce an ovary, and therefore no harvest. But don't rush to get rid of them. Barren flowers are also useful, they are able to pollinate the plant. If you pick a barren flower, the fertilization process is disrupted.
The reasons for the appearance of barren flowers are the wrong planting site, disease, and poor care. Try to identify as quickly as possible the reason for the appearance of barren flowers and eliminate it.
How to distinguish zucchini seedlings from pumpkins or cucumbers?
The main differences are as follows:
- The leaves of cucumber seedlings are more oblong than those of zucchini and have a rounded tip. Pumpkin seedlings have rounded leaves.
- In terms of thickness, cucumbers have the thickest plates, followed by pumpkin and in last place thin leaves of zucchini.
- Zucchini leaves develop much faster than others.
Reference. Gardeners use an interesting method: if you rub a cucumber leaf, it does not smell of anything. And pumpkin and zucchini have a unique smell that cannot be confused with anything else.
Tips and tricks for growing
When choosing seeds, trust only a trusted manufacturer. Read planting recommendations carefully. Do not neglect disinfection of seeds; be sure to disinfect them.
For seedlings, purchased ready-made soil, which already contains the necessary set of nutrients, is perfect. Use flower pots, wooden boxes or any other dry and clean container as a container for seedlings.
After planting zucchini in open ground, follow the watering regime. Also, do not forget to regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds. Alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. Inspect the plant for external signs of disease, and if any are detected, begin treatment immediately.
Important! All fertilizing is divided into root and foliar. Roots are useful for the roots and stem; to do this, treat the plant with Rossa or Bud. Foliar treatments include spraying with preventive medications. They are carried out once every 2 weeks.
Alternative Growing Methods
In addition to open ground, zucchini is grown in boxes, boxes, bags, and buckets. These simple methods give a good harvest.
We have prepared for you rules for growing zucchini in containers:
- Prepare the container, wash it well and dry it. The depth of the container must be at least 0.5 m, and its height must not be more than 1 m.
- Once the container is ready, place the soil in it.
- Make holes for the squash and fill them with organic matter. Place the bush itself on top and sprinkle with earth.
- Water the plant with plenty of warm water.
Alternative growing methods are great for those gardeners who do not have enough space to grow vegetables in their garden plot.Care is no different from the rules for growing zucchini in open ground. Loosen the soil and fertilize the bushes in a timely manner.
Read also:
How to drink zucchini juice: benefits and harm to the body, rules of use.
We are preparing supplies of delicious snacks - how to pickle zucchini for the winter.
The advantages and disadvantages of round zucchini that every summer resident should know.
Conclusion
Growing zucchini in open ground and caring for them is a simple process. By following simple agrotechnical rules, gardeners harvest a tasty and healthy harvest. Vegetables are grown in the open air, in greenhouses and greenhouses, and even barrels. The unpretentious plant is used in cooking and medicine. The vegetable has a long shelf life and is suitable for dietary nutrition.