When is the right time to plant zucchini? Secrets of growing zucchini seedlings - tips, features, recommendations Features of sowing zucchini

Zucchini, being one of the most unpretentious vegetable crops to care for, is in great demand among gardeners. In addition, this vegetable, from which you can cook many delicious dishes, is extremely useful for the body and saturates it with essential minerals and vitamins.

The value of the sowing time

The choice of the optimal time for planting zucchini for seedlings has a direct impact on the future crop yield. It is very important to guess correctly with the time of planting the plant in open ground in the most favorable period of time for this.

Inaccuracies and errors of an agrotechnical nature can cause a delay in the development of zucchini and, as a result, a poor harvest. They must be avoided.

Sowing dates

The specific time for sowing seeds depends on the desired timing of the maturation of zucchini. So, for those who want to get an early harvest of this vegetable crop, it is recommended to sow seeds in April, while giving preference to varieties characterized by early ripening. In the event that zucchini is supposed to be planted for the purpose of their long-term storage, up to winter, it is recommended to take varieties that have a late ripening period and sow them for seedlings in the second decade of the last spring month.

When determining the time for planting zucchini seeds for seedlings, it is necessary to take into account such an important point as the climatic conditions of a particular region. For example, in the Urals, the first frosts often occur already in late August or early September. In this regard, the time for planting zucchini seeds must be calculated so that the vegetables have time to grow by the beginning of frost. Planted for seedlings, after 25-30 days, zucchini seeds should be planted in open ground, and it is important to do this before mid-June, otherwise the vegetables will not have time to fully grow.

What does the lunar calendar for 2016 say?

Along with such important points as seed variety, climatic features of the area and weather conditions, many gardeners, when choosing the time for sowing zucchini for seedlings, turn to the Lunar calendar for help. This is not surprising, because this practice has a history of several hundred years and it is believed that, following the lunar calendar, the forces of nature themselves help to get a good harvest of a particular crop.

So, according to the Lunar calendar for 2016, the most favorable time for sowing squash seeds for seedlings in March is the 30th, in April - the 2nd, the time period from the 7th to the 10th, as well as the 19th and the 20th of that month. It is recommended to plant squash seeds in open ground on the 9th, 11th or 13th of May, or in the first half of June, or rather on the 5th, 11th, 13th or 15th of the first summer month.

folk omen

According to folk signs, which are still adhered to by a huge number of gardeners, it is necessary to plant zucchini seeds when the royal hazel grouse and cherry blossom.

On the eve of the new garden season, the question of choosing the right time for planting vegetable crops becomes relevant. To determine favorable dates, vegetable growers turn to the lunar calendar. Many years of experience confirms that plants sown in accordance with the recommendations are strong, healthy and productive. Useful and unpretentious zucchini is one of the favorite garden crops. To get a good harvest from them, you should find out in time when to plant zucchini for seedlings in 2018 according to the lunar calendar.

Time to plant zucchini

Astrological forecast is important for the vegetative development and fruiting of plants. The presence of the Moon in different phases affects the biochemical processes occurring in all living organisms.

1. At the new moon, nutrients are concentrated in the underground part of the plant: the root grows faster than the shoots.
2. The growing moon activates the processes of photosynthesis, the vegetative part is rapidly developing. This period is optimal for planting.
3. The new moon is marked by the accumulation of energy in flowers and fruits, which contributes to increased yields.
4. When the moon is waning, the processes inside the plant slow down again.

The path of the night luminary in the zodiacal circle also affects the nature of agricultural work.

• For planting and propagating plants, female signs are considered favorable - Capricorn, Taurus, Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio.
• It is better to postpone the sowing time when one of the male signs predominates - Aquarius, Leo. Twin.

Interesting!

The prevailing elements differ in the nature of the impact: the force of Air and Fire suppresses the growth of vegetables, and the energy of Earth and Water, on the contrary, pulls them up.

With the lunar calendar, one should check not only the time of sowing, but also the holding of important agrotechnical events. The full and waning moon signals the need for weeding and pinching zucchini, as well as the application of organic fertilizers. The growth of the disk of the earth's satellite indicates the timing of plant nutrition with inorganic matter.

Following the recommendations of astrologers increases the chances of healthy plant growth and abundant fruiting. Confusion in dates can lead to low germination of seeds, oppressed by the painful development of a vegetable crop. To help gardeners, a calendar is presented with favorable and unsuccessful days for planting seedlings of zucchini in 2018.

auspicious days

The astrological calendar offers several dates that are successful for sowing zucchini. A specific day should be chosen taking into account the geographical location of the region, the characteristics of weather and climatic conditions. It is necessary to take into account the type of landing: in open or closed ground.

• for early - 45 days;
• for mid-season - 50 days;
• for later - 60 days.

In accordance with the phases of the moon in 2018, it is desirable to sow zucchini for seedlings on the indicated days:

It is recommended to plant seedlings of zucchini in open ground, in most of the territory of Russia, no earlier than May 29. The optimal dates for transferring seedlings are June 2, 3,10,11,12.

bad days

It is better to refrain from sowing zucchini seeds for seedlings on days that coincide with the full moon and new moon.

Seed selection

Suitable seeds must be selected before sowing. These can be seeds from home-grown zucchini from the past harvest or packaged kits purchased at the store.

Gardeners should decide in advance which variety of zucchini to prefer:

• hybrid forms;
• Zucchini;
• Ordinary cultures.

Hybrids are characterized by high yield and disease resistance. Seeds for their planting need to be bought annually. Zucchini are excellent in taste. In a cool place, they can retain their nutritional qualities for up to 1 month. In ordinary zucchini, a thin peel and tender flesh do not allow for long-term storage. The seeds of these crops can be collected for the purpose of further sowing.

When buying packaged seeds, the reputation of the supplier and the detailed characteristics of the plant are given priority.

1. Priority is given to products of well-known agricultural firms.
2. Preference for varieties with good hardiness and immunity.
3. For variety and safety, buy several different varieties.

An obligatory stage in the preparation of seed material for sowing is a germination test. To determine the suitability of the grains, they are dipped in a container of cold water. Drowned seeds have excellent germination, and floating seeds have already lost it.

Germination efficiency will increase if the seed material is treated with a solution of wood ash (20 g per 1 liter of water). Soaking in the infusion for several hours will allow the grains to absorb the nutrients and trace elements necessary for growth.

It is also advisable to carry out disinfection. To do this, the seeds are dipped in weak potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Next, the seed is laid out on a damp cloth and left in a warm room for 24-48 hours. The germination process will go faster if you create a "greenhouse effect" with a plastic film.

When green sprouts appear, the seeds are sown in pre-prepared peat cups. A peat container will further facilitate the movement of seedlings into open ground.

Features of sowing zucchini

Practice shows that it is better to sow in several stages and take into account the timing of planting zucchini for seedlings with an interval of 10-14 days. In this case, zucchini will ripen gradually throughout the summer.

Depending on the natural area, zucchini is planted directly in the garden or seedlings are pre-forced in the greenhouse. In the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine, it is customary to plant zucchini in open ground with seeds. In the Moscow region, in the Leningrad region, in the middle lane, in the Urals and in Siberia, zucchini is grown in 2 stages: first seedlings, and indoors, then vegetable crops - on the street.

The germinated seed is placed in a recess (up to 2 cm) in a peat cup or soil. Sprinkle with earth on top and moisturize. The optimal soil composition is a peat-sand mixture. It is recommended to add organic matter to feed the plant. At the bottom of the cup, a drainage layer is necessarily made of pebbles, polystyrene foam or broken bricks. You can add moss. Drainage will not allow moisture to stagnate, and thereby protect the roots from rot.

On a note!

Growing seedlings in cups is more preferable, since it provides convenience when transplanting seedlings into open ground, and eliminates damage to the root system.

For the successful growth of seedlings, the air temperature in the environment should not fall below +20 +22 C. It is also important to adhere to the rules of watering, preventing the soil from drying out and excessive moisture. When the seedlings are strong enough and the air outside warms up well, the zucchini are transplanted into the beds. The shoot is considered ready for planting if it has at least two formed leaves.

Due to the delicate taste, dietary properties and unpretentious care, zucchini is in stable demand among summer residents. In order to get a good harvest, it is enough to plant them on time. Terms vary depending on the chosen method of planting and the soil and climatic characteristics of a particular site.

The principle of calculating the planting time of zucchini

Zucchini is grown in two different ways - seed and seedlings. Sowing dates vary depending on the method chosen. For seedlings, zucchini is sown so that by the time of planting in the garden or in the greenhouse, the seedlings are three weeks old. At the same time, seed squash is sown with seeds.

That is, this vegetable should be planted in open ground with seeds about 3.5 weeks later than planted on seedlings.. The specific day of landing is determined by:

• for seedlings - estimating the approximate date of planting seedlings in a greenhouse or garden bed (a weather diary or a climate map of your region will help determine it) and subtracting 3.5 weeks from this date;
• for open ground - by looking at the weather diary of past years and the weather forecast for the month ahead to determine the day with favorable weather conditions for sowing zucchini.

If the average daily temperature is below 9 degrees Celsius, the seeds cannot yet sprout. Active growth and development of the plant occurs at a temperature of 20–22 degrees. This is what you need to focus on: choose a date when at night under shelter (film or spunbond) or without it it will definitely not be colder than 9 degrees, and during the day under the same conditions (in shelter or outdoors) the zucchini will be warm.

This usually happens when the average daily temperature rises above 12 degrees.

Planting zucchini in open ground is carried out when two or three true leaves are formed on the seedlings.

Before planting seedlings in open ground, make sure that the temperature is correct

Checking the lunar calendar 2019

In different climatic regions, of course, zucchini is planted at different times. In the Kuban and in the warm regions of the Volga region, this can be done from the beginning of May, in the middle lane, as well as in the Urals - not earlier than June, in the Far East and Siberia - in early July. with the most favorable days for planting in any month, the lunar calendar of the gardener will help determine.

Lunar calendars help you navigate the favorable landing dates in each month, so they can be used for any region.

So, planting zucchini in 2019 according to the lunar calendar is recommended:

• April 1-4, 6-9, 11-13, 17, 21, 24-25, April 29;
• 1-3, 8-10, 12-19, 23-28 and 31 May;
• 1–2, 4–6, 11–15 June.

At the same time, do not forget to take into account the climate. For example, in central Russia in April, this vegetable will be sown for seedlings, in the Krasnodar Territory it will already be sown directly into open ground under temporary shelters, and in the Urals and Siberia, the time for working with zucchini will not come yet.

Planting dates for early zucchini

To get ripe fruits already at the beginning of summer, even in the Urals, seedlings are planted at the end of April, and in warm regions, zucchini is planted at the beginning of March.

One of the most popular early varieties of zucchini is Gribovskie 37

In the open field, early squash can only be obtained on compost beds, using heat accumulators and hand pollination. With this method of cultivation, even in the Middle Urals, you can get the first crop of zucchini in mid-June.

Video: planting zucchini

The timing of planting zucchini depends on a variety of reasons. Choose the time to sow them depending on the climatic conditions of your region, your favorite variety and growing method. Specify the right days by checking the lunar calendar, and you can enjoy delicious and fresh zucchini from early summer until autumn.

In the 16th century, another variety of pumpkin, zucchini, was brought to Europe. They were used at first as an ornamental plant, and only three centuries later they learned about the benefits of this vegetable, after which they began to eat it. The beneficial properties of zucchini can be judged by their composition, which includes vitamins C, E, PP, H, B, A, minerals in the form of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and beta-carotene that helps strengthen the body. In addition, 100 grams of this vegetable contains only 20 to 30 kilocalories, so it is used as a dietary product. A tasty and healthy plant is grown today in almost every summer cottage. Growing zucchini in the open field is not very difficult, however, in order to get a good harvest, you need to know some of the nuances of planting and caring for zucchini. How to plant zucchini correctly, when to plant zucchini in 2018 according to the lunar calendar and how to care for a healthy vegetable, you can learn from our article.

Most often, planting zucchini seeds is done immediately in open ground, after the soil warms up. But in the northern regions with a short summer or to get an early harvest, the vegetable is grown in seedlings.

Many gardeners, when planting plants, are guided by the lunar calendar. Zucchini is planted on the growing moon, so in 2019 the favorable days for planting are as follows:

1. March - you can sow seeds for seedlings in the southern regions from the 8th to the 19th. At the beginning and end of the month, the moon is waning, so planting a healthy vegetable is undesirable.
2. April is the month for sowing seeds for seedlings in central Russia. This month, the Moon in 2019 grows from the 6th to the 18th. Best landing dates: 7, 12, 18 .
3. May is the month when zucchini can be planted in open ground, and those grown by seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse or in a garden bed (if frosts have passed). Favorable days: 8, 15, 17, 18. The moon wanes at the beginning and at the end of May, so at this time it is better to refrain from planting zucchini.
4. June - at the beginning of summer, seeds are sown in the ground in regions where the soil warms up only at the beginning of the month. At the same time, seedlings are planted in the ground. June 2019 The moon begins to rise on the 4th, and ends on June 16th. Best days for sowing: 5, 12, 14, 16.

• March: 6 and 21;
• April: 5 and 19;
• May: 5 and 19;
• June: 3 and 17.

How to plant zucchini

Having decided when to plant zucchini on seedlings or in the ground, you should prepare planting material. Seeds of zucchini before sowing are recommended to be processed in one of the following ways:

1. hardening. Keep in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator for 14 hours, then hold for another 10 hours at room temperature.
2. Soak. Soak and hold for a day in warm water, and then knead in a damp cloth for three days and keep at a temperature within +23 degrees.
3. Warming up. Warm up in the sun for 7 days.
4. Solution processing. Soak for a day in a solution of Epin or Zircon. You can use a solution of 1 tbsp. l. ash and a liter of warm water.

Planting zucchini for seedlings

If it was intended to get a crop as quickly as possible, then vegetables can be grown in seedlings. But at the same time, you should be aware that zucchini grown through seedlings are not stored for a long time.

Planting zucchini seeds should be done 20-30 days before planting them in the garden or in the greenhouse.

The soil for sowing seeds is selected slightly alkaline or neutral. You can buy it in a specialized store or mix it from the following components:

• sod land - 2 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• peat - 5 parts;
• sawdust - 1 part.

Peat pots or disposable cups are filled with prepared moist soil, after which pre-treated seeds are buried into it to a depth of about 2 cm.

In order for the seeds to germinate better, the pots are covered with a film on top and placed in a place with a temperature within +22 degrees. When the seeds hatch and sprouts appear, the seedlings are placed in a well-lit place with a temperature of about + 15 ... + 18 degrees. For this, a glazed balcony or loggia is perfect, if the temperature on them does not drop even at night below +13 degrees. In such cool conditions, seedlings of zucchini should be grown for 7 days, after which they can be transferred to a warmer room and grown at a temperature of + 20 ... + 22 degrees.

Caring for zucchini seedlings includes:

1. Good lighting. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch.
2. Regular watering. The soil in pots should not dry out, so it should be regularly watered with water at room temperature.
3. Top dressing. 10 days after germination, the first feeding of seedlings of zucchini with organic matter is carried out. To do this, you can use a fertilizer bought in a store or a mullein solution diluted 1:10 (50 ml per plant). After another week, the seedlings are fertilized with mineral dressings, which should not contain chlorine. Nitrofoska fertilizer is suitable (1 tsp per 1 liter of water). For each plant - ½ cup.

Attention! Zucchini do not tolerate picking well, so it is recommended to plant them in separate pots!

Sowing zucchini seeds in the ground

Processed zucchini seeds are planted on a pre-prepared bed:

1. In autumn, during digging, a handful of ash, 50 grams of superphosphate and 10 kg of compost are added to each square meter.
2. In the spring, the bed is leveled and holes are made in it about 10 cm deep.
3. Planting scheme for zucchini - 70x50 cm. It is recommended to plant no more than three plants per 1 square meter.
4. The soil from each hole is mixed with a tablespoon of humus and ash.

Two or three zucchini seeds are placed in the prepared hole and sprinkled with soil in a layer of 5-7 cm. If the soil in the area is heavy, then the layer should be about 3-5 cm.

When the zucchini sprout and grow a little, you will need to leave the strongest plant in the hole, and pinch the rest. Weak seedlings are better not to be torn out, but pinched, otherwise the roots of the remaining plant can be damaged.

Planting seedlings of zucchini in the ground

The timing of planting zucchini depends on the weather conditions in the region. As soon as the threat of the last frost has passed and the soil warms up, you can plant seedlings.

A place for plants is chosen with a low occurrence of groundwater and protected from the wind. A pumpkin relative loves the sun, so it is recommended to make a bed on the south or southwest side of the site.

Where can you plant zucchini? A bed can be made in the place where root crops, garlic, onions, green manure, cabbage, greens, tomatoes, peas grew. Remember that after zucchini, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers, zucchini should not be planted. It is necessary to observe crop rotation.

A bed for planting seedlings is prepared in the same way as for sowing zucchini seeds. Plants are spaced from each other at a distance of 1 to 1.5 meters. Each bush is buried to the cotyledon leaves and watered abundantly.

If there is a possibility of a cold snap, then it is recommended to cover the plants with non-woven material or build a greenhouse and stretch polyethylene.

How to care for zucchini

Caring for zucchini in the open field is not very difficult, which is why even novice gardeners grow them on their plots.

Culture care consists of the following procedures:

1. Watering zucchini. The frequency of watering depends on weather conditions. If the weather is cloudy and cool, then watering is carried out once every 2-3 days. In the heat, water the plants daily. Use for this warm settled water from the barrel. Water is poured under the root, and so that the fruits do not rot, pieces of slate, cardboard or boards are placed under them.
2. Weeding and loosening. A bed with vegetables should be regularly weeded, and the soil on it should be loosened. This is best done after watering or rain.
3. Courgette nutrition. This vegetable crop loves organic fertilizers, which are recommended to be applied three times during the season. You can alternate top dressing with slurry and herbal infusion. Slurry is insisted for 3 days, previously diluted with water (1:10). Green infusion is prepared from herbs poured in a barrel or bucket with water and infused for 7 days (mowed lawn grasses or uprooted weeds). Herbal slurry is diluted 1:8 before use. The first feeding is carried out two weeks after planting in the ground, the second - after three weeks, and the third - when the ovaries appear. During the third top dressing, mineral fertilizers are added to the organic matter (for 10 liters - 1 glass of wood ash and 1 tablespoon of double superphosphate).
4. Pollination. Sometimes during flowering there are few bees on the site, so you have to pollinate the plants yourself. To do this, a flower without an ovary (male) is plucked, the petals are removed from it, and the pestle is driven along the stamens of female flowers. Two or three flowers with ovaries can be pollinated by one male flower.
5. Treatment of zucchini from diseases and pests. To protect plants from pests or diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive measures. To do this, it is imperative to observe crop rotation, and a week after planting zucchini in the ground, treat with special preparations. Karbofos is used against pests, and a 1% solution of copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture helps well against fungal diseases.

Features of growing zucchini in a greenhouse

To get an early harvest, many gardeners grow vegetables in greenhouses, where they are planted 3 weeks earlier than in open ground. At this time, the air temperature in the greenhouse should be at least +14 degrees at night, and during the day - within +23 degrees.

Plants are planted in holes with a distance of about 80 cm from each other. The width of the hole should be about 50 cm, and the depth should be 30 cm. The soil is fertilized based on each hole:

• superphosphate - 50 grams;
• potassium sulfate - 30 grams;
• peat compost - 500 grams.

Caring for zucchini in a greenhouse consists of regular watering and mandatory ventilation. When the plants grow strongly, it is recommended to cut off two to four lower leaves so that increased humidity does not form between the bushes. Otherwise, the ovaries will fall off.

What hurts zucchini

Pests and diseases of zucchini can be affected even though all preventive measures have been taken. In the table below, you can study the signs of plant damage, as well as how to treat zucchini from pests and diseases.

Harvesting

Approximately 1.5-2 months after sowing, it will be possible to pluck the first ripened fruits. It is better to pick them unripe, until the seeds inside the fruit have become large and hard. But if the zucchini is supposed to be stored until winter, then they are plucked already ripe, with a thick crust.

Small-sized young fruits can be cut with a knife or secateurs at the base. Zucchini intended for storage should be cut so that they have an even cut, and long stalks remain. It is not recommended to pluck them, as the frayed ends can cause rot and damage to the entire fruit during storage.

How to store zucchini

Ripe fruits in a room with an air temperature of 0 to +2 degrees are well preserved for 5 months. Young unripe zucchini do not last long and begin to wither and even rot after 2 weeks.

The room for storing zucchini must have good ventilation, so the cellar is not suitable. In the cellar, there is usually high humidity, where the fruits will rot.

You can store zucchini in the vegetable section of the refrigerator and even in the apartment. For storage in a cool room, the fruits are laid out in a box so that they do not touch each other. In an apartment, a box of vegetables can be placed near the balcony or placed under the bed.

To keep the zucchini longer, it is recommended to dip the stalk in melted paraffin.

With proper storage, zucchini can be used for cooking until the next harvest. However, it should be borne in mind that after about 6 months, their flesh will become bitter, and the seeds will begin to germinate. Therefore, it is not recommended to store pitching for too long.

boiled zucchini, vegetable stew, squash caviar, and even jam - this is not yet the final list of dishes that are prepared from this amazing vegetable. It is dietary, easily digestible and has a pleasant taste. Without zucchini, a garden is not a garden, but all due to the fact that growing and caring is not difficult even for a beginner in gardening.

Varieties of zucchini

Types of zucchini: early maturing, mid-season, late. Seeds are selected depending on the purpose of planting. Zucchini are white, yellow, cream, green, and zucchini are yellow, green, and spotted. Plantings are divided into bush and climbing.

Early varieties of zucchini ripen a month or two after planting.

Seed preparation

Zucchini seeds are planted immediately in open ground or through seedlings, but in any case they must be well prepared:

• Soak for several hours in warm water (prevention of fungus). To do this, place the seeds in a wet cloth and heat on the battery.
• Then immediately for a couple of minutes we dip them in cold water, it is possible with a solution of Fitosporin.
• To protect against pests, you can hold them in aloe juice diluted with water.

These measures apply to seeds of own collection or purchased from hand. If the packaging indicates that they have undergone pre-sowing preparation, do not touch them, you can only keep them warm (see point 1) during the day, until swelling or sprouts appear. If they will be planted in the ground, hardening the seeds will help them to be more stable: With heat, place the seeds in the refrigerator and back.

Planting zucchini in open ground

Although the vegetable is considered unpretentious, it requires prepared soil for itself: manure, humus, peat, sawdust, compost - the culture will thank you for this.

When to plant

If your goal is to get an early harvest, plant seedlings no earlier than April.

If you are not in a hurry, plant immediately in open ground, the time is early May - mid-June.

How to plant

It's good to dig up the ground. Prepare holes at least half a meter. Fertilize with organic matter, mixed with soil. Add "Agricola 5". Next, the seeds are planted, the distance between the seeds is 5 cm, you can plant the seed in pairs. This is a classic method of planting zucchini in open ground.

Method: landing "under the bottle"

There is also a landing "under the bottle" at the end of April, when the weather becomes more stable. The depth of the hole is 10-15 cm - this is an additional protection from the wind. After the seeds are in the soil, they must be spilled and covered with cut plastic bottles. As soon as the air begins to warm up above 20 degrees, the shelter is removed.

Outdoor zucchini care

• The plant has a strong root system and can tolerate if they are not watered in time, however, watering still requires systematicity, because powerful leaves and fruits need moisture. Water your pets with plenty of warm water once every 7-10 days.
• In order for the water to be better absorbed by the roots, the plant requires a systematic loosening and weeding.
• Fertilizer mullein at least twice.

Picking zucchini

The first fruits can be cut off three weeks after flowering. They will be tender and thin-skinned. Store them in a cool dark place.

Growing zucchini is a pleasant process with great returns. properly prepare the seeds for sowing, fertilize the soil, water regularly and enjoy a rich harvest!

How to grow zucchini video

Text prepared by: Veronica