Important tips for growing zucchini

During the sowing season, at any summer cottage, you can often hear the phrase: "And we will plant less zucchini this time, otherwise last summer we did not know where to put them ..." Indeed, in a "zucchini" year, the harvest is so large that everyone can be gifted. and everyone will give you a gift. The problem is that most summer residents (especially older ones) try not to remove the fruits from the garden for as long as possible and end up with giant vegetables with bullet-proof peel and large hard seeds. And the most useful and tasty they are just tender young, not very large. How are they useful? They contain vitamins C, A and group B, a huge amount of trace elements, as well as dietary fiber and fiber, which are salvation for problem intestines. Zucchini helps to flush excess fluid from the body, thereby reducing swelling and regulating pressure. Vegetable complementary foods for babies begin with it, as it is a hypoallergenic product. And of course, one cannot but say about its low-calorie content - it is indispensable for dietary nutrition. By itself, this vegetable has practically no taste, so it is used as a base and cook stews, casseroles, salads and pancakes.

Zucchini: growing

Choose varieties of different ripening periods so that vegetables come to your table from mid-summer to cold weather. They come in different colors: white, striped, dark green (zucchini) and bright yellow (specific taste, for an amateur). Take care of the seedlings in advance; by the time of planting in the ground, it should be about a month. You can, of course, plant with seeds, it is easier, but then the harvest time is shifted. Zucchini does not tolerate cold at all, at a temperature of + 4 ... + 7C they can die.
They should be placed in a sunny place, if possible, raise the bed to protect the plants from stagnant water. Remember what grew here last year? If potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage or greens - feel free to plant. For cucumbers or pumpkins, look elsewhere. This is one of the secrets of a good harvest - every year to correctly move crops around the garden, so you protect the soil from depletion.
After planting, weed, loosen and water (preferably with warm water) - nothing new. As it grows, remove the largest leaves so that the flowers and fruits have enough light. Avoid severe waterlogging of the soil, as this leads to the development of diseases. During flowering, it is very appropriate to feed with ash (a glass for 10 liters of water, water 1.5 liters per bush). When fruiting begins, mineral fertilizers can be put into action - watering at the root with a solution of potassium sulfate, superphosphate and urea.

Possible problems

If the bushes are very close, the soil is too wet, and the difference between day and night temperatures is noticeable, that is, the likelihood of the appearance of diseases such as bacteriosis, powdery mildew, white and gray rot. Leaves are affected first, then fruits. Fusarium first affects the roots, and then the green part of the bush. In all cases, it is necessary to remove the diseased parts of the plant (or all of it), water the soil with Phytolavin when fighting rot, spraying with a fungicide helps in the treatment of powdery mildew, bacteriosis is unfortunately incurable. And remember - in order not to fight diseases later, pay due attention to prevention
The main pests that attack zucchini are spider mites, melon aphids and sprout flies. The mite settles on the underside of the leaf, sucking out cell sap. As a result, the leaves turn yellow, and the flowers and ovaries fall off.A potion of onions, red and black pepper, ash and soap will help to cope with the misfortune, it must be sprayed twice with a difference of 5-7 days.
The melon aphid also settles on the back of the leaf, as a result of which growth slows down and sometimes the bush dies. With a small number of insects, they can be removed by washing the plants with soapy water. If the colony of aphids is large, then use herbal infusions with a strong odor; for their preparation, take garlic, horseradish root, tomato tops, tansy and wormwood.

The sprout fly, as the name implies, specializes in sprouting, damaging swollen seeds and the first shoots. Meeting with it can be avoided if you plant not seeds in the ground, but healthy, strengthened seedlings. In this case, it will be possible to avoid many problems.