Zucchini is a culture, the cultivation of which should not present any difficulties, but, nevertheless, such questions as planting zucchini and in what ways can arise, especially for beginners in gardening matters. Yes, and experienced gardeners will not refuse to learn something new about planting zucchini in the open ground, so that later in practice to test the knowledge gained.
How to plant zucchini - ways
So it all starts with a landing. Zucchini can be called a culture for the lazy. Why? The fact is that this vegetable can be planted without digging beds in untreated soil. Zucchini will forgive you for this. The main thing is to prepare well the landing hole, this will be enough.
Option one - how to plant zucchini in open ground seedlings
The preparation of the landing site begins with the excavation of a spacious pit. Even for planting a very small seedling of zucchini, a hole must be made of sufficient volume. They do this in order to later be able to well fill this pit with fertile soil, humus. The fact is that zucchini, like all pumpkin crops, is very fond of “eating”.
The bottom of the planting hole before dressing with humus should be well loosened in depth, this will help the roots of plants to freely penetrate into the lower layers of the soil. The introduced humus must be well rotted, that is, no less than three years must pass from the moment the manure decomposition begins.
A bucket of humus must be added to one hole. This norm will allow you not to worry about plant nutrition throughout the season. Then, a layer of garden or compost soil is poured onto the laid humus so that the growing roots of the zucchini do not immediately fall into the humus.
A small depression is made in the hole directly for planting seedlings. Planting seedlings of zucchini must be very careful, since the root system of all pumpkin crops is very vulnerable. That is why the planted seedlings should not be older than 20-25 days of age.
The next stage is a very plentiful watering, 10 liters of water should be poured onto one plant in several stages. Then sprinkle the place of irrigation with dry soil or humus.
If the weather is hot during transplanting, the entire root zone should be overlaid with grass, weed or hay, otherwise the roots of the plants, being close to the surface of the earth, may burn out. Additionally, planting can be covered with open plastic 6-liter jars without a bottom, pre-glued with white tape. This will help the small sprout to adapt faster, safely survive the return frosts, and not break in windy weather.
Option two - how to plant zucchini in open ground with seeds
The volume of the planting pit and its filling should be the same as in the case of planting seedlings. An important point is placing a seed in a hole. Of course, that a good healthy seed in any case comes out of the ground, but there is a secret that accelerates this process. Not all gardeners know that a seed on the soil needs to be placed on a rib so that it is easier for folded cotyledon leaves to open and release the seed from cover scales. In addition, vertically arranged cotyledonous leaves are easier to “cut through” the soil layers to reach its surface. Planting depth should be 2-3 cm. Abundant watering of the sowing site completes the work.
That's all. Now you know 2 options for planting zucchini in the open ground. Have a good harvest!
By the way, there is another option for growing vegetables. See how you can grow zucchini in bags.
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